The case of the abduction of a 23‑month‑old child from the area of Apaisia in Limassol continues without a positive outcome, with authorities intensifying efforts to locate the 29‑year‑old Turkish father, who remains wanted and is believed to be in the occupied areas, based in part on a video he posted on social media.
A 53‑year‑old Turkish Cypriot is already in eight‑day detention in connection with the case. He is believed to have assisted in carrying out the plan and to have been the person who transported the father to Limassol.
According to the evidence so far, the 53‑year‑old had rented a vehicle a few days before the incident, a factor being examined as part of a premeditated operation by the suspects on 13 May. On Wednesday morning, he transported the 29‑year‑old to the residence where the 35‑year‑old mother was living with their child. The woman, of British origin, was asleep with the child when the father entered the house.
Scenes of panic and violence followed. The 29‑year‑old grabbed the child and attempted to flee, while the mother tried to stop him. During the struggle that unfolded in the yard, all involved, together with the child, ended up in the swimming pool.
According to the police investigation and the testimony of the 35‑year‑old, the father is believed to have continued to assault the woman while the 53‑year‑old intervened to assist in the escape.
At that point, according to the complainant, the suspect shouted in Turkish to his accomplice to take the child, with the latter then carrying the child to the getaway vehicle. The vehicle was later located near the Pergamos crossing point. Authorities are examining how the 53‑year‑old left the area and whether a third person may have assisted. It is noted that the mother understands Turkish and was able to follow what was said between them.
The mother identified the suspect from photographs presented to her by police. She also revealed that she had been receiving threats for months from her former partner, who, she claims, displayed violent behaviour and used drugs.
The 35‑year‑old had left the occupied areas in September 2025 seeking protection in the government‑controlled areas and had filed a complaint against the 29‑year‑old for domestic violence two months later, resulting in an arrest warrant being issued against him.
Although the woman was part of the “Elpis” victim protection programme and had access to an emergency alert application linked to the police, the attack occurred so suddenly that she was unable to activate the system in time.
At the same time, investigations remain in full progress, with the authorities of the Republic having already requested, through bicommunal channels, the cooperation of the Turkish Cypriot side for the location and handover of the 29‑year‑old father and the child.
Unconfirmed information suggests that the father had lodged similar complaints against the mother with police in the occupied areas.
