The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

Police hold four over kidnapping of Cypriot-Norwegian girl

Three Greek Cypriots and a Syrian were remanded in police custody for three days in connection with Thursday's kidnapping.

Cyprus police patrol the streets of Nicosia

Three Greek Cypriots and a Syrian were remanded in police custody for three days in connection with Thursday's kidnapping of the Cypriot-Norwegian child from outside a nursery school in the capital Nicosia.

One of the men is believed to have organised the kidnapping, while the suspected vehicle used for the abduction was found in possession of the 33-year-old Syrian national, said police.

Police also told a Nicosia district court that the Norwegian father had emailed the mother to say the girl was with him somewhere in Cyprus, safe and in good health.

ADVERTISEMENT

The girl would stay one week with him, then he would instruct his lawyers to arrange custody of the child.

Police said they had indications the girl had been taken across the island's UN-patrolled ceasefire line to the Turkish-controlled north via an unofficial crossing point from the south.

The Turkish Cypriot side had also been alerted to try to locate the missing girl.

Cypriot authorities have issued a European arrest warrant for the child's father who is separated from the Greek Cypriot mother with whom he has been engaged in a bitter custody battle.

Two masked men forcibly took the girl from her mother as she was being dropped off at the nursery, then sped off with a getaway driver, police said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Policing in Cyprus is complicated by the island's decades-old division.

A breakaway Turkish Cypriot administration in the north is recognised only by Turkey and has no extradition agreement with any other country.

There are multiple crossing points between the two sides, including in the heart of the divided capital.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

ADVERTISEMENT