A 64-year-old man is being held in custody in the north after seven underage girls alleged sexual abuse in a case that has prompted a public campaign encouraging victims to come forward.
The girls, aged 12 to 15, accused the suspect of abuse linked to a horse farm in Lapithos where they had been attending riding lessons, according to reports by Turkish Cypriot newspaper Özgür Gazete.
Authorities said the number of complainants has risen to seven, after five more minors came forward following initial allegations involving two sisters.
The suspect is alleged to have intimidated the girls and warned them not to speak out, telling them that “no one would believe you”.
A court on July 10 ordered the man’s detention for three days. He was brought again before a court on Monday, which extended his custody for a further three days as investigations continue.
The case first came to light after a British woman reported that her two daughters, aged 15 and 12, had been abused by her Turkish Cypriot partner.
All seven complainants are reported to be of foreign nationality and within a similar age group. According to the reports, they had all visited the same horse farm for lessons.
The allegations share common elements, with the girls saying the suspect used intimidation to discourage them from reporting the abuse.
The case has drawn widespread attention and triggered a campaign titled “I Believe You”, launched by the Association for Supporting Women’s Life, KAYAD, aimed at encouraging women and children who have experienced harassment or abuse to seek help.
Campaign organisers said the publicity surrounding the case appears to have encouraged other victims, who had remained silent for some time, to come forward.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of further complaints as the investigation develops.
