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Police in Cyprus are raising the alarm over a growing number of cases involving child sexual abuse material, with 100 incidents already reported in the first half of 2025 alone. The figure adds to previous years’ troubling numbers: 208 cases in 2024, 203 in 2023, and more than 200 annually since 2021.
Authorities say these cases are among the most serious crimes and are handled by the Criminal Court, with each investigation requiring careful examination of evidence and testimonies. Maria Pentalotou, an officer at the Cybercrime Sub-Directorate, stressed that investigations often rely on cooperation with Europol, Interpol, and other international agencies, as these offenses frequently cross borders.
A recent example highlights the dangers: in May, police learned through Europol that a 30-year-old man had posted 140 videos and images of child sexual abuse online. He was arrested under a court warrant, and a mobile phone seized during the arrest contained additional illegal material.
Pentalotou noted that cases can also arise from citizen complaints or through specialized cybercrime monitoring. She warned that a new threat is emerging: material created with artificial intelligence, which Cypriot law treats the same as real abuse content. Cyprus is reportedly the first country to introduce specific legislation addressing AI-generated abuse material.
“These are extremely serious offenses,” Pentalotou said. “For cases involving children under 13, the law allows for life imprisonment.” She emphasized that daily cooperation with international authorities, as well as ongoing training and information sharing, is essential in combating these crimes.
