Teacher accused of sexually harassing student

A teacher at a Larnaca high school has been arrested in connection with a sexual harassment complaint, after the parents of a student told police the male educator was harassing their daughter on school grounds.

According to local media, a 14-year-old middle school girl has given a statement to police, alleging that her 53-year-old male teacher was sexually harassing her in class. Other reports did not specify a location but said the alleged incident took place on school premises.

Police on Monday confirmed the arrest of a male teacher but declined to provide further details including the nature of the offence under investigation.

But according to DIKO MP Christos Orphanides, who recently wrote on social media about the case, the girl appeared to have told police she was sexually harassed while she was on school premises.

Orphanides called for the immediate suspension of the teacher until the allegations could be investigated fully.

“He cannot continue to go into classrooms as if nothing happened, and we also need to think about the mental state of the student, her innocent soul as well as her classmates,” the MP said.

Reports said the girl's parents had initially filed a complaint with police last Thursday, a day after the alleged incident, with officers handcuffing the teacher on Sunday. He was expected to appear before a judge on Monday for his remand hearing in a closed session.

It was not clear whether the nature of the offences involved verbal, physical, or any other type of criminal acts.

But local media said the teacher had been accused in the past of similar behavior and ended up in court where he was acquitted of all charges.