Limassol, Cyprus. A Turkish national accused of abducting his two-year-old son from Limassol and taking him to the north was remanded in custody on Tuesday by the Famagusta “district court”. The child remains under “state” custody in the north.
Court decisions and charges
The 26-year-old suspect was ordered to be held for a period not exceeding one month after being charged with violating a “military restricted zone” and “illegal entry and exit” from the north.
Another man accused of assisting the Turkish national was also remanded for up to one month.
The suspect’s father, accused as an accessory to the crime, was released on bail under conditions including a payment of 50,000 Turkish lira and a surety bond.
Child custody and consular support
Authorities in the north confirmed the child remains under the care of “social services”.
The child’s mother, a British citizen, has sought assistance from the British High Commission, which is providing consular support in relation to the case.
Allegations surrounding the incident
The abduction occurred last week in Limassol after the child’s father allegedly entered the home where the boy lived with his mother.
According to the complaint filed with police, the suspect “forcibly grabbed the child” before leaving the residence and handing the boy to another man waiting outside.
The mother further alleged that the father then attempted to drown her by “pushing her under water” in the house bath before fleeing the scene in a white rental car with the child and a second suspect.
The vehicle was later discovered abandoned near a crossing point at the British Bases.
What developments would you like to see clarified next about the child’s custody and the court proceedings?
