Filenews 26 September 2025
The Central Prison is likened to a hellhole because of the horrible torture that a prisoner is reported to have experienced. According to a letter from his lawyer, Leto Kariolou, the complainant was sexually abused for two consecutive days. He was gang-raped. Two of his fellow inmates gave him drugs and while he had lost consciousness, they raped him. However, they continued to abuse him when he came to his senses, despite his pleas to let him go. In addition, he states that he was beaten and that one recorded the abuse with a mobile phone and shared the video.
The perpetrators, according to Ms. Kariolou, threatened her client that they would abuse him even more brutally if he resisted and shouted.
Despite the torture he suffered, Ms. Kariolou complains that the complainant was not protected inside the prison and that the procedures were initiated only after the complaint of his relative. However, he said, the investigation of the case by the Nicosia Police Department has serious shortcomings.
"I have already submitted a relevant complaint to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture," underlines Ms. Kariolou and asks for the suspension of the prison sentence imposed on him as well as the punishment of the abusers and those who are responsible from the Prisons.
The announcement is as follows:
Acting at the behest of my client, who complained that he was repeatedly raped by his fellow inmates in the Central Prison, I sent today a letter to the Attorney General, notifying the President of the Republic in which I request, on the basis of Article 53(4) of the Constitution, the immediate suspension of the prison sentence imposed on him.
My client was repeatedly raped by his fellow prisoners in his cell. In one of the incidents, the perpetrators administered a narcotic substance to him, as a result of which he lost consciousness; They sexually abused him, beat him when he came back and, despite his pleas to stop, continued to illegally record screenshots of the abuse with a mobile phone. This video was distributed both inside and outside prisons, as well as in the media, resulting in the complete humiliation and irreparable insult to his personality.
Timeline of events
- August 8: My client entered the Central Prison to serve his sentence.
- August 14: The Prison Administration arbitrarily transferred him to Ward 8A for long-term convicts, although a light offender, under the pretext of administering treatment. There he was forced to clean the premises and clothes of other prisoners.
- August 15: Two fellow inmates drugged him, drugged him, beat him, raped him. One recorded the abuse on video. The perpetrators threatened to abuse him even more brutally if he resisted and shouted.
- August 16: My client asked the responsible Sergeant prisoner for immediate transfer to another wing. He refused and urged him to come back after the weekend. That same night my client was raped again.
- August 18: My client informed the Prison Security Office in the presence of a Sergeant and two representatives of the Administration. Those responsible did not inform the Police, did not immediately arrange a forensic examination and did not provide him with psychological support. He was forced to sign a form stating that he had no complaint from the Administration to allow his transfer to another wing.
- August 25: Only after the complaint to the Police of a relative of my client 10 days later did the TAE Nicosia move and receive a statement from my client. My client was not informed of his right to legal aid.
- September 15: After the case was made public by the media, the Prison Administration transferred him to the Lakatamia Detention Center, where he is being held in inhumane conditions. During his transfer, he was informed for the first time about the existence of the video of the rape and its wide circulation.
The investigation of the case by the TAE Nicosia has serious shortcomings and already violates my client's right to effective protection. Despite my request to receive a supplementary testimony in my presence, the investigators informed me that the investigation was considered "complete" and the file was forwarded to the Legal Service. However, they did not investigate the offenses of illegal recording and trafficking of rape videos, unfoundedly arguing that they fall under the competence of the Prison Administration. In addition, my client was not informed of his right to legal aid and was not subjected to an independent forensic examination, which makes the investigation ineffective and incomplete.
The Central Prison Administration is responsible for the complete failure to protect my client and for serious omissions. He rejected his request for transfer after the first rape, as a result of which he suffered a new rape. Despite his official complaints, those responsible did not inform the Police, did not arrange a forensic examination and did not provide psychological support. On the contrary, they proceeded to publicly deny, calling the complaints "allegations". Indicatively, while they knew the perpetrators since August 18, one of them was released from prison and remains at large. The attitude of the Administration demonstrates an intention to cover up.
At the same time, the conditions of detention of my client in the Lakatamia Detention Center are inhumane and degrading, violating the minimum standards of dignified living. When I met him, he had a severe leg infection, casually tied with toilet paper, and I had to persevere for him to receive immediate medical attention. He remains incarcerated 24 hours a day, without a courtyard, activities, psychological support or adequate food. His return to the Central Prison is inconceivable where, after his complaint, his personal safety is in immediate danger.
In view of all the above, it is imperative to:
(a) suspension of my client's prison sentence;
(b) the appointment of an independent criminal investigator, in order to ensure the full and effective investigation of all criminal offenses committed against him, both rape and illegal videotaping and distribution of degrading material as well as criminal offenses resulting from the attempt to cover up criminal acts by the Central Prison Administration,
(c) the availability of all involved officials of the Central Prison Administration in order to avoid intimidation or influence of witnesses.
The present case does not differ substantially from the case of gang rape of a prisoner in 2014, when the competent authorities suspended prison guards and proceeded to transfer the then Director of the Central Prisons. Then, the former President of the Republic visited the victim in the hospital and encouraged him to file a complaint with the authorities. In today's case, on the contrary, the competent bodies kept quiet about the facts and tried to cover up the criminal acts committed.
In conclusion, I would like to inform you that I have already lodged a complaint with the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) for full international supervision.
Lito Kariolou Lawyer
