A RUSSIAN mother who was left in a coma after being brutally beaten by her husband is now fighting her in-laws for custody of her son.
Back in July, Maria (not her real name) was taken to Nicosia General Hospital with severe head injuries.
Her four-year-old son, who witnessed his mother’s beating, was taken to the Nicosia Children’s Shelter.
Maria remained in a coma for over a month and underwent a series of operations.
She also contracted a hospital virus, which added further complications to her recovery.
Towards the end of October, Maria was taken to the EOKA Fighters’ Home in Limassol for rehabilitation, as she was still in a semi-comatose condition and suffering severe post traumatic stress.
According to women’s support centre Apanemi, which has been by Maria’s side from day one, the damage she has suffered is permanent.
Maria’s mother refuses to leave her side, but both are in dire financial condition and are receiving absolutely no help from the state.
According to the victim’s psychologist at the Home, Maria is gradually regaining her senses and memory, and has been enquiring after her son and husband.
What she is unaware of is the fact that her husband, who was facing attempted manslaughter charges, died of a heroin overdose while Maria was in a coma.
She is also oblivious to the violent attack she suffered and the health consequences it brought with it.
“Regular contact with her son will play a significant role in her rehabilitation,” Apanemi founder Julia Kalimeri told the Sunday Mail. “The contact will also relieve the child who was suddenly deprived of both his parents through traumatic events.”
But while Maria was being treated in hospital, and without being informed by the Welfare Services, the little boy was taken by the victim’s mother-in-law and now spends most nights at her home.
In fact, the only visit Maria has had from her son, according to Kalimeri, ended in tears, as the boy was taken to Limassol by the father’s mum, who verbally attacked Maria.
“Relations between the mother-in-law and [Maria], and now her mother, can at best be described as unfriendly,” Kalimeri explained.
Apanemi claims the government has done nothing to help Maria; neither to help her legally fight for her son, nor to encourage contact between mother and son.
“I wonder why, for four months, no state help was given either to [Maria] or her mother; how are they expecting these people to live?” asked Kalimeri. “Why was the child given to the mother-in-law? With which court order and why wasn’t [Maria] or her mother informed about it?”
Today, Apanemi is dedicating its protest march against domestic violence to Maria.
“For this reason, we will be handing out leaflets with her history [with her approval] and her bank account number so she can at least raise enough money for her mum to rent a small flat near the rehabilitation home so she can care for her,” Kalimeri explained.
The march will start at Eleftheria Square at 10am and will end at the Presidential Palace, where Apanemi hopes to relay its concerns to the President.
“We are protesting the conspiracy of silence that is taking place. We are calling on the public to become these victims’ voice.”
