Nicosia, Cyprus. The Brazilian embassy said a 23-year-old Brazilian trans woman serving a six-year sentence for drug smuggling in Cyprus is being held in isolation in the high-security psychiatric unit of the central prison. The embassy said it has been monitoring the situation since her arrest.
Embassy monitoring and requests to prison authorities
The embassy told the Cyprus Mail on Friday that staff have paid regular visits to the inmate and have contacted the prisons department in a letter.
It said it requested her transfer to the female wing or to a location where her safety can be assured, citing her gender identity. The embassy said the isolation facility is within the men’s wing.
Legal recognition of gender identity
The embassy said it has sent documents to the authorities confirming that the woman’s gender identity is legally recognised, and said her passport identifies her as a woman.
Repatriation and transfer options
The embassy said that in Brazilian prisons, transgender inmates are given the opportunity to opt for either the female or male wing. It added that she cannot currently be repatriated to Brazil due to the lack of an extradition accord between Cyprus and Brazil.
The embassy referred to another case involving a Brazilian national who was found guilty in Cyprus and served part of a sentence on the island before appealing to the Attorney General for a transfer to Brazil, which was granted. The embassy said this might also be a possibility for the woman.
Contact with Brazil and the inmate’s family
The embassy said Brazil’s foreign ministry has been informed about the case and that it remains in close contact with the prisoner’s family and friends to keep them informed.
What steps do you think authorities should take to ensure the inmate’s safety while her sentence continues?