Man sentenced for beach rape in Ayia Napa

A man in Cyprus has been sentenced to prison on rape charges after a young woman last year told police she was molested in the water in broad daylight near a beach bar in Ayia Napa.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, a criminal court in Famagusta on Tuesday sentenced a 23-year-old male to four years in prison on a single rape charge in connection with an incident last year in Ayia Napa.

In early June 2021, a young woman from Nicosia filed a complaint with police saying she was the victim of sexual abuse during a Sunday outing in Ayia Napa.

The young woman told investigators the day following the incident that she had been harassed by three males in the Nissi Beach area in broad daylight, while local reports suggested the alleged events took place in the water.

Police did not issue a report on the arrest but confirmed the incident was handled discreetly by local law enforcement, citing privacy concerns for the female accuser.

After a complaint was filed, a photo of three males from a security camera was shared with members of the public to help identity the suspects, two of whom were described as enablers by the victim.

Local media also said the young woman was reportedly intoxicated and unable to consent to any sexual advances or willingly take part in a sexual act.

Prosecutors accused the main suspect of rape but details were not immediately available as the trial took place behind closed doors.

But CNA said the defendant, described in local media as an Egyptian national, was at a beach bar when he met the young woman who got drunk and later passed out.

“The 23-year-old appeared to have transported the young woman to a beach location in Ayia Napa, and after taking her in the water he proceeded to rape her despite her objections,” CNA said.

A judge panel found the defendant guilty on rape charges and sentenced him to four years in prison.