The Law Office has ordered police investigators to conduct additional inquiries into potential criminal liability surrounding the 2023 death of 24-year-old Kyriakos Oxinos, caused by a defective Takata airbag deployment.
The directive, issued on Sunday, specifically targets the Cypriot vehicle importer responsible for bringing in the car equipped with the faulty airbag. Investigators have been given a 10-day deadline to complete the supplementary probe.
Initial investigations have established clear grounds for criminal prosecution, with multiple parties potentially facing charges, according to legal sources familiar with the case.
The Road Transport Department faces scrutiny for failing to notify the vehicle owner about the airbag recall, whilst the vehicle manufacturer is also under investigation.
Authorities are examining whether legal action can be pursued against Takata’s successor companies following the manufacturer’s bankruptcy.
If the vehicle manufacturer is found liable, Cyprus will seek international legal assistance through the manufacturer’s home jurisdiction, though officials acknowledge this process could be protracted.
Authorities are studying similar cases in other countries for precedent.
The case has gained additional significance following a second Takata-related fatality. Styliani Georgalli, 21, died after her imported vehicle’s airbag deployed during a minor collision on the Avgorou-Frenaros road, with the autopsy revealing that airbag shrapnel had penetrated vital organs.
Investigators note the cases differ as Georgalli’s vehicle was imported, while Oxinos’s car was purchased through official Cypriot channels.
The investigation into Georgalli’s death continues, with authorities focusing on determining responsibility for the vehicle’s recall notification.
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