Foreign women nabbed in pub raid in Nicosia

Law enforcement agents raided a business establishment in Nicosia where 18 foreign women were detained, with police investigating whether they could be possible victims of human trafficking.

According to local media, immigration and labor officers took part in a police operation, where a pub and one apartment in the capital were raided Friday at the same time.

Police did not provide details except to say 18 foreign women of unknown immigration or employment status were found on the premises of a business establishment in Strovolos.

The women, described as Russian and Ukrainian nationals, were taken to a police station where anti-trafficking officers interrogated them to determine their status or any possible offenses.

Nine or ten male customers were also found in the pub, with two of them being taken to a police station to settle unpaid fines after it emerged they had outstanding warrants.

Police on Monday morning declined to comment on the specifics of the case, telling Knews the operation took place after law enforcement agents received a tip, but it was unclear what offenses were being investigated.

A raid in an apartment in Nicosia was said to be related to the operation, which was coordinated by Crime Prevention, Immigration, Labor inspections, and Anti-trafficking units.

Nicosia police investigate whether detained Russian and Ukrainian females were human trafficking victims following Friday raid