Syrian asylum seeker abducted and beaten by three men in south Cyprus

A Syrian national residing at the Kofinou Asylum Seekers Reception Centre in south Cyprus was abducted on Wednesday evening by three men and subsequently beaten, according to preliminary police investigations.

The incident occurred around 8:00 pm when the perpetrators, who had reportedly contacted the victim by telephone earlier, arrived by car at the centre and kidnapped him. They took him to Limassol, where they beat him, and then returned him to Kofinou around 10:30 pm.

A statement is being taken from the victim, who will be transferred to Larnaca General Hospital’s accident and emergency department for medical examination. Police investigations continue to locate the perpetrators.

On Wednesday evening (13/08/2025) around 20:30, the abduction of a 22-year-old from the Kofinou International Protection Seekers Reception and Accommodation Centre was reported to police.

Members of Kofinou Police Station attended the scene, and investigations established that the same evening, the 22-year-old victim initially received a telephone call from other persons asking to meet with them.

The 22-year-old subsequently met with three persons outside the accommodation centre and then got into their vehicle.

After thirty minutes had passed, friends of the 22-year-old contacted police and reported that they were trying to contact him, but his mobile phone was switched off and he had possibly fallen victim to abduction.

Around 22:30 the same evening, the 22-year-old contacted his friends, telling them he had previously been abducted and that his abductors had abandoned him near the Kofinou overpass.

He was transferred to Kofinou Police Station, where it was established that he had bruises on his face and neck.

As part of the investigation, a judicial arrest warrant was secured against one person, who is being sought.

Kofinou Police Station continues its investigations.