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A Cyprus appeals court has increased the prison sentence of a man convicted of sexually abusing his underage daughter, ruling that the punishment originally imposed by a lower court was too lenient.
The defendant was found guilty in 2023 by the Permanent Criminal Court in Limassol on charges linked to the sexual abuse of his minor child. According to the case, he exploited the trust, authority, and influence he held as the victim’s father.
The trial court had initially sentenced him to six years in prison on two charges, with the sentences to run concurrently. The Attorney General later challenged the ruling, arguing that the punishment did not match the seriousness of the crimes.
In a unanimous decision issued on May 18, 2026, the Court of Appeal agreed and increased the sentence to ten years in prison for each charge, also to be served concurrently.
In its judgment, the appeals court said the original six year sentence failed to reflect the gravity of the offenses or the need for strong deterrent penalties in cases involving the abuse of minors. The judges stated that sentences in cases like this must protect children from sexual offenders, particularly as authorities continue to see an increase in these types of crimes.
The court also left in place earlier orders issued by the trial court, including the defendant’s referral to the relevant supervisory authority.
The case for the Attorney General’s office was handled by Republic lawyer Louiza Sigar.
