A court has approved a request by the defence of a 37-year-old British lawyer to temporarily lift his travel restrictions so he can travel to the United Kingdom to attend the funeral of his three-year-old child.
The man is facing a charge of causing the death of his child through a reckless, careless or dangerous act.
The court took into account humanitarian reasons presented by the defence, as well as the need for the 37-year-old to be in the UK for legal procedures related to his role as the child’s guardian.
Travel documents to be returned
The court decided that the restrictions will be suspended from 7 August until 14 September 2026.
His travel documents will be returned two days before his departure, while his obligation to report to a police station will also be suspended during his absence.
As an additional safeguard to ensure his presence during the legal proceedings, the court imposed an extra cash guarantee of €10,000.
His name will also temporarily be removed from the stop list preventing him from leaving Cyprus for the period covered by the court’s decision.
Return to Cyprus required before hearing
The next court hearing has been set for 17 September 2026, when the accused is expected to indicate whether he admits or denies the charges.
All previously imposed restrictions will automatically return into force from 15 September. The 37-year-old will therefore be required to return to Cyprus and comply with the conditions before appearing before the court.
The restrictions include a €20,000 financial guarantee, placement on the stop list, surrendering travel documents, weekly reporting to Paphos Central Police Station, a ban on crossing checkpoints, and informing police of his residential address.
Defence cites humanitarian reasons
During the hearing, defence lawyer Alexandros Alexandrou said the request was not only based on humanitarian grounds but also on the need for his client to complete procedures in the UK linked to his status as guardian of the child.
The prosecution did not object to the request. However, it asked for the additional €10,000 guarantee and requested that the accused provide police with written details of his accommodation and contact information in the UK.
The prosecution also requested that the case proceed as quickly as possible after his return to Cyprus.
The 37-year-old appeared in court accompanied by his parents and his lawyer. His defence requested that he respond to the charges at the 17 September hearing, at 9:00am, so that he can receive the full body of evidence in the case.
Also read: Erhürman ready for weekly meetings with Christodoulides on Cyprus issue
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