45-year-old Syrian arrested for unlawful detention of minor children
A 45-year-old Syrian was arrested at Larnaca Airport and remanded in custody for three days, accused of unlawfully detaining his two minor children in Syria for six months.
45-year-old Syrian arrested for unlawful detention of minor children
On Monday, a 45-year-old from Syria was arrested at Larnaca Airport as he returned to Cyprus with his two children, aged 16 and 17. The following day, the man was brought before court and remanded in custody for three days.
According to information reported by Philenews, the children's mother had given permission to the 45-year-old to travel with the children from 21 to 29 December. However, she was informed that the father had taken them to Syria instead of returning. In January, she reported the incident to Limassol Police.
The suspect allegedly admitted that he travelled with his children to Saudi Arabia on 27 December, but instead of returning two days later as planned, he decided to go to Syria to see his country of origin. He claimed he did not inform the mother of the change of plans because he feared she would not agree.
Their return was further delayed, he said, because he sustained an injury to his foot in Syria and was unable to travel for approximately two months.
During their stay in Syria, the children communicated with their mother and expressed concern about their father's behaviour, asking her to do whatever was necessary for them to return to Cyprus.
In an online communication that Police had with the father, he allegedly stated that he would return to Cyprus but would leave his children in Syria.
The investigation into the case is ongoing.
Source: Cyprus Mail