Newsroom
What was supposed to be a relaxing holiday for a 48-year-old Romanian woman quickly spiraled into a terrifying ordeal of confinement, threats, and sexual exploitation, until a courageous moment at Paphos airport saved her life.
The woman arrived in Cyprus, convinced by a 51-year-old Greek man to enjoy a vacation. But instead of beaches and rest, she found herself trapped in a local beer garden, cut off from contact with the outside world and under constant threat. The man and his 44-year-old accomplice warned her that any attempt to escape or seek help would be useless because “they have the means” to outsmart the police.
On the day she was set to be deported to Poland, the woman seized a chance while in an airport restroom to send a distress signal. Spotting a police officer outside, she screamed for help, instantly alerting authorities.
Police from Paphos’ Anti-Human Trafficking Office responded quickly, rescuing her and placing her in a safe location with support from social services.
The 51-year-old man was immediately arrested. The woman later shared the horrifying truth: instead of a holiday, she had been forced into sexual exploitation, made to meet “clients” for money. The 44-year-old Romanian woman, who helped organize transport and book hotel rooms, was also taken into custody.
The investigation expanded to include a 79-year-old Cypriot who owns the beer hall where the woman was held, a grim setting described as a place of torture. All suspects appeared before Paphos District Court and were ordered held in custody for several days pending further inquiries.
Authorities are charging them with kidnapping, unlawful confinement, threats, conspiracy, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and money laundering.
Cyprus Police say the case came to light after Romanian authorities alerted them about the woman’s situation. Earlier attempts to find her in a Paphos hotel failed, but her brave call for help at the airport ultimately led to her rescue.
The Office for Combating Human Trafficking is working closely with the Paphos Police to continue the investigation.
