Nicosia farm owner remanded for alleged labor exploitation

Police in Cyprus have arrested a 37-year-old livestock farm owner in the Nicosia district following allegations of labor exploitation and threats of violence. The investigation began after authorities received information regarding the mistreatment of an elderly individual at the facility. Upon arrival, members of the Office for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings discovered a 73-year-old man performing cleaning duties under poor working and living conditions.

The 73-year-old has been identified as a potential victim of human trafficking and has provided a statement to investigators regarding his situation. The suspect was taken into custody following a coordinated operation involving the local Criminal Investigation Department and the Crime Prevention Squad. During a search conducted under a court warrant, police seized various pieces of evidence relevant to the ongoing case.

On Tuesday, the Nicosia District Court issued a six-day remand order against the 37-year-old suspect to facilitate the ongoing investigation. Authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged exploitation to determine further legal actions.