Appeals court upholds nine-month prison sentence for non-consensual image distribution

On July 9, 2026, the Appeals Court of Cyprus rejected an appeal filed by a woman convicted of distributing non-consensual sexually explicit photographs and videos. The court confirmed the original nine-month prison sentence handed down by the Nicosia District Court. The defendant had pleaded guilty to violating the Law on the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence by sending explicit material to both the victim and a third party. The appellant argued that the sentence was excessive, citing legal delays, the fact that she did not produce the content herself, and that she acted under provocation due to a personal rivalry. The appellate court dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the offense constitutes a severe form of gender-based violence that infringes upon human dignity and privacy. The court ruled that there were no grounds to reduce the sentence or suspend its execution, noting that the offense can carry a penalty of up to 14 years in prison. The decision reinforces the judiciary's strict stance on the protection of victims in cases of digital harassment.