Cyprus Journalists Union strongly condemns the attitude of the British Bases Court judge

The Cyprus Journalists Union (UCJ) expressed deep concern over the attitude displayed by British Sovereign Base Area judge Carl Gunsley towards reporters during a remand hearing at the Dhekelia court on Thursday, July 2, 2026. The judge's behavior towards journalists following the hearing of the father of two children who were found dead in a locked vehicle in the Xylofagou area was described by members informing the union's board of directors as 'provocative, argumentative, and arrogant'. At the heart of the incident is the allegation that the freedom of journalists to follow legal processes on site was interfered with, and the tension present in the judiciary's relations with members of the press. The union emphasizes that the words and warnings issued by the judge in the courtroom effectively constitute an element of pressure on journalists carrying out their professional activities.

Judge Gunsley's stern warnings that he could 'charge' journalists who behaved in a manner disrespectful to the court's dignity or failed to obey his orders were characterized by the UCJ as 'unjustified threats'. In the union's statement, it was stated that journalism cannot be practiced under any threat and that freedom of expression should not be restricted by any court or judge, and that such attitudes are incompatible with democratic society standards. The UCJ board of directors, recalling that similar incidents had occurred recently, argued that relations between the judiciary and the media should be based on cooperation and mutual respect. It was emphasized that such obstacles faced by journalists while fulfilling their duty to obtain news and inform the public are unacceptable, no matter what authority they come from. The union expressed that the behaviors in question are contrary to the modern understanding of law and represent a 'crippled mentality' belonging to another period.

The main agenda of the court was the hearing regarding the deaths of two siblings, aged 8 and 10, who were trapped inside a parked car in Xylofagou. According to the tragic details of the event, two separate cases were filed against the 30-year-old suspect, the father of the children, on the charge of 'causing death by negligent and imprudent behavior'. Evaluating the bail application made by the defense during the hearing, Judge Gunsley rejected this request due to the weight of the evidence and the risk of the defendant fleeing. Citing the lack of sufficient ties between the defendant and the British Bases Area, it was decided that he remain in custody until the start of the trials on July 16. This detention decision once again brought to light the seriousness of the event and how harshly the legal process can proceed in the local community and legal circles.

An interesting aspect of the event in terms of legal procedures is that the jurisdiction of the case lies not in the Republic of Cyprus courts but in the British Sovereign Base Area (SBA) courts. The fact that the children's deaths occurred within the boundaries of the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area, which is under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom and governed by its own laws, places the case within the scope of English law. Crimes committed within the Base Area are usually tried in SBA courts located in Episkopi and Dhekelia, which creates a distinction from the legal system in the rest of Cyprus. This situation brings not only the legal ground of the news but also international law and regional sovereignty issues to the agenda. The defendant's lawyer, Andreana Klaedi, stated that a senior judge to hear the case would come from England specifically for this hearing, clearly revealing the importance and protocol of the process.

Consequently, this event has created a significant point of tension in Cyprus in terms of both legal and professional aspects. On the one hand, there is a criminal prosecution and detention of a suspect linked to the painful deaths of two children, while on the other hand, harsh judicial interventions against members of the press following the judicial process have come to the fore. The strong reaction of the Cyprus Journalists Union shows how delicate a balance is required in the approach of judicial bodies towards journalists performing a public duty. The union noted that it will not allow such threats, characterized as 'colonial-style', to strike a blow to press freedom and that it will take all necessary steps to protect journalists' right to report. This case is expected to be followed closely in the future, both in terms of its judicial dimensions regarding the children's deaths and judiciary-press relations.