Search continues for missing 13-year-old Syrian boy in Cyprus

A major mobilisation is underway in Cyprus for the sixth consecutive day to locate 13-year-old Majed Alashater from Syria, who has been missing from his accommodation facility since 6 August.

The minor disappeared from the facility where he resides in Nicosia on 6 August. Police issued a public appeal the following day, releasing his details to the public, but Majed has not yet been located.

The 13-year-old is described as having a thin build, approximately 1.55 metres tall with short curly brown-blonde hair.

Extensive search operations

Police are appealing to anyone with information that could help locate him to contact Nicosia CID at 22-802222, the nearest police station, or the Citizens’ Line at 1460.

Hope for Children has also issued an appeal for his location, calling on citizens to contact 116000 or 1460 if they have information.

All relevant authorities have been informed about the 13-year-old’s disappearance, including Social Welfare Services. Searches are focusing on airports, ports and checkpoints, as required by police procedures in cases involving missing foreign nationals.

Officials deny bullying claims

Maria Kyratzi, Director of Social Welfare Services, stated on Tuesday that bullying does not exist as a reason for the disappearance of the 13-year-old missing from the minor accommodation facility in Nicosia.

Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting between Deputy Social Welfare Minister Marilena Evangelou and community leaders from fire-affected areas in Pachna, Kyratzi emphasised that from the moment it was reported the child was not in his programme, procedures were immediately activated to gather all necessary information for police investigation.

“The reason being discussed publicly concerning bullying behaviours does not exist in this case,” Kyratzi clarified.

Accommodation policies explained

Kyratzi stressed that confining children is prohibited wherever they are accommodated, and programmes always aim to develop relationships with each child to meet their needs.

“We never forget that some cases are very recent with us, so further time is needed to develop this relationship,” she added. She noted the importance of understanding the culture and thoughts of these children, issues that affect unaccompanied minors worldwide, not only in Cyprus.

Kyratzi explained that internationally, unaccompanied minors face trafficking issues through various means. “Certainly at every national level, security issues and any abuse of children must be safeguarded, but these things happen regarding unaccompanied minors.”

She concluded that immediate mobilisation for location remains an important, permanent and immediate goal whenever any child is not in their programme, and this process continues.