Seven suspects aged between 14 and 21 are facing detention proceedings in connection with the alleged beating of a 16-year-old boy in Latsia, Nicosia district. The case was heard behind closed doors at Nicosia District Court, with the judge’s decision on the length of their detention awaited.
According to police, the suspects are being investigated in connection with offences including conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour, grievous bodily harm, assault causing actual bodily harm, and offences under legislation concerning the prevention of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The suspects are aged 21, 17, 16, 15, 15, 15 and 14.
Teenager describes attack
In his statement to police, the 16-year-old said he was a secondary school student and had been in a relationship with a girl, who is a minor since May 2025 until September 2026.
He alleged that the relationship ended following repeated arguments and that, afterwards, his former girlfriend spread rumours in Latsia claiming he had assaulted her.
According to the teenager’s account, several of the girl’s friends, including four of the suspects, subsequently reacted to the allegations. They allegedly created a group on Instagram that included the teenager and two other individuals who are now being sought by police.
The group allegedly contacted him repeatedly, asking to meet and resolve the dispute. The parties eventually agreed to meet at a location in Latsia on Friday, 9 September.
Group allegedly attacked teenager
The teenager told police he travelled to the agreed meeting place in a car driven by two friends.
Upon arrival, he opened the car window and saw approximately 20 people gathered at the location, including his former girlfriend, according to his statement.
He alleged that two of the suspects approached the vehicle and told him to get out. When he did not do so, one of them opened the door.
The teenager said he then got out and stood in front of the first suspect, asking what he wanted to discuss.
According to his account, the suspect kicked him on the right side of the jaw before punching him in the same area. He said he became dizzy from the blows but that the alleged attacker continued punching and kicking him across the body as he tried to move away.
While he was still on the ground, suspects two to seven and another individual he did not know allegedly approached and began kicking him.
One of the individuals allegedly punched him and asked whether he assaulted girls.
Video allegedly sent to mother
According to the teenager, on 10 October 2026, his former girlfriend sent his mother a video containing excerpts of the alleged attack.
A preliminary examination of the footage reportedly showed the teenager on the ground being struck, while some of those present allegedly threatened him.
Police said the identities of the suspects were established and arrest warrants were issued on 13 October 2026.
Investigation continues
The seven suspects are being investigated for a range of offences, including conspiracy to commit a felony, conspiracy to commit a misdemeanour, grievous bodily harm and assault causing actual bodily harm.
The case was heard behind closed doors at Nicosia District Court as the authorities seek detention orders in connection with the investigation. The judge’s decision on how long the suspects will remain in custody was pending at the time of reporting.
