Christos Bouris
Five months after the release of the investigative report, the families of those who lost their lives due to faulty TAKATA airbags remain without any official updates on the progress of the case. The lack of information has prompted calls for immediate communication from authorities, highlighting ongoing frustration and distress among the victims’ relatives.
During a recent session of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, which focused on laws for the protection and support of crime victims, Committee President Irini Charalambidou emphasized that the issue cannot be overlooked. Under the provisions of the 2021 legislation, authorities are legally required to keep the families informed about developments in cases affecting their loved ones.
The session included testimony from family members directly affected by the TAKATA airbag failures. Giannos Giorgallis, father of Styliani, expressed deep frustration over the absence of communication following the committee’s findings. He condemned what he described as negligence and lack of accountability, noting that his daughter’s death illustrates a broader failure to act.
Maria Loui, mother of Kyriakos Oxinos, who also died due to a defective airbag, reiterated that her family has received no updates since the investigative committee issued its report. Alexandros, a survivor injured by a faulty TAKATA airbag in 2017, spoke about the lasting physical and psychological impact, emphasizing that his experience is a visible example of the consequences of insufficient oversight and inaction.
In response to these concerns, members of the Human Rights Committee announced plans to write to the Chief of Police, seeking clarification not only about the obligation to update victims’ families but also about whether investigations will continue beyond the original 2023 mandate set by the Attorney General. Charalambidou warned that the ongoing negligence surrounding the case could expose wider systemic and vested interests behind the failure to act.
For now, the families are relying on the Legal Service and the Police’s Crime Investigation Department to pursue justice. They have also indicated that, should the official response remain unsatisfactory, they are prepared to escalate the matter to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
