Suspected sex offender facing trafficking charges

Police are keeping a tight lid on an arrest in connection with a sex exploitation case after a man was arrested on Sunday on indecent assault and rape charges.

According to local media, a male suspect was detained in Nicosia on an arrest warrant after his female accuser was recognized as a victim of human trafficking.

Police did not provide details about the suspect or the arrest but told Knews the individual appeared in a close hearing on Monday before a Nicosia district judge who ordered him remanded in custody for four days.

Investigators were said to be looking into allegations of rape and indecent assault, while police confirmed that the detainee was also being suspected of trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Police told Knews details about the case were not provided to the public citing privacy concerns.

Cops keep details under wraps

Neither the age of the suspect nor the location of the arrest were made known. Police also did not confirm whether the alleged crimes took place at a workplace or another venue.

The remand hearing took place on Monday, the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict 2022.

Last week airport officials in Larnaca and Paphos took part in a government campaign to raise awareness among employees and help them look for signs of human trafficking.

Cyprus has been under pressure to prosecute sex trafficking crimes after last year the US State Department downgraded the Republic in its Trafficking in Persons Report, citing lack of convictions despite several prosecutions in the past four years.