Man who hit and killed Congolese student in north Cyprus sent to prison for two months before trial

The driver who hit and killed an international student while driving drunk and without a drivers license in an incident that happened in Lefkosia last December has been sent to prison for a period not exceeding two months until trials.

The unfortunate incident happened on Osman Örek Street in Lefkosia at around 11.45 pm on Dec., 27, when Hüseyin Bal, 25, a Turkish national hit Gabriel Shimata Kasongoo, 25, a Congo national who was riding a bicycle in the same road.

Police said the driver was driving carelessly under the influence of alcohol and carelessly changed lane to the one Gabriel was on while approaching a traffic light on the night of the incident. He was also driving without a drivers license.

Gabriel was thrown about 3 meters into the air upon impact and fell 56 meters away from the point of impact, while the driver of the vehicle reportedly stopped 105 meters away from the scene of the incident. 

Kasongo, who was seriously injured in the incident was rushed to the Lefkosia State Hospital but died despite all attempts to save his life.

Hüseyin Bal was arrested and first detained for 3 days and then another 8 days for the purpose of investigation. 

He was brought back to court again on Friday, Jan., 5, 2024, where he was ordered to remain in prison for a period not exceeding 2 months.

Police told the court on Friday that the vehicle in which the suspect crashed belonged to another person, and that one million TL damage was caused to the vehicle and the areas where the suspect crashed.

On the day of the accident, the suspect said that the vehicle was being driven by another person because he had no license and was drunk, but when the camera footage was examined, it was determined that the suspect was the one driving.

Police stated that the suspect came to the country in 2022, had a work permit but did not have a strong connection, and requested that he face trial while in prison.

The judge, who evaluated the case in court, ordered Hüseyin Bal to be sent to prison for a period not exceeding 2 months before facing trial in court.