Limassol madam arrested for pimping out girls

A Limassol pub owner has been remanded for four days by Limassol Distrcit Court following her arrest Thursday on pandering charges when police raided on a suspected illegal prostitution ring.

The suspect, a 38-year-old woman from Romania, is reportedly the owner of the establishment near the old harbour which cops had under surveillance for an undisclosed amount of time.

Police investigators were reportedly questioning the madam, while male customers and females workers, described as presumptive sex trafficking victims, were to be called in at Limassol CID. At the time of the arrest, the madam and a male patron were reportedly inside the pub, local media reports said. 

The arrest comes one day following another shocking case, where five people including three police officers were remanded in custody in connection with sex trafficking and corruption.

Two of the officers manned visa inspection booths at Larnaca International Airport during times when several women passed through the Port of Entry, with the suspects reportedly turning a blind eye.

A series of arrests come just over two months after a US report praised Cypriot authorities for their efforts in combating sex trafficking while also asking them to do more.

While prostitution is not illegal in the Republic of Cyprus, pimping and public soliciting for sex are offences punishable by law.