Criminal case against 17-year-old closed following DNA evidence in Limassol

On May 27, the prosecution service in Limassol suspended the criminal case against a 17-year-old Syrian national who had been accused of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl. The girl, who gave birth after a 34-week pregnancy, previously claimed the 17-year-old was responsible for her pregnancy and had raped her. However, the girl recently confessed to the police that she had lied about the rape allegations. Scientific DNA evidence confirmed that the 17-year-old is not the father of the child. The case had been under consideration by the Limassol Juvenile Court. The defendant, who consistently denied the seven charges brought against him, had provided documentation to confirm his age as 17. Authorities are continuing their investigations to identify the actual father of the child. No further legal action is being pursued against the accused in relation to these specific charges.