The Nicosia District Court imposed prison sentences, suspended for three years, of 10 months and 8 months on two officers of Cyprus’ Social Welfare Services in connection with the case of 14-year-old Stylianos Konstantinou, who took his own life in 2019.
The first officer received a 10-month prison sentence, while the second was sentenced to 8 months.
According to the case evidence, the first officer was aware of incidents of abuse and neglect by the minor’s father in 2011, but failed to take protective measures or arrange for the child’s removal from the family environment. The officer was also aware that the child witnessed animal slaughtering at the family farm.
The two defendants accepted the charges of deliberate neglect in carrying out official duties.
The second officer was found guilty because, between 2014 and 2016, he failed to investigate the family’s living conditions and did not proceed with any actions aimed at protecting the child.
In its ruling, the Court stated that public officials have an obligation to protect vulnerable individuals and that failure to carry out their duties undermines public trust in institutions.
“In general, a Social Welfare Services officer — a public official entrusted with duties connected to the protection and care of people’s welfare, safety and dignity, especially minors whose wellbeing substantially depends on their actions and decisions — is obligated to carry out those duties with integrity, consistency and conscientiousness,” the ruling states.
Source: Φιλελεύθερος
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