The lawyer Lito Kariolou is demanding an investigation and the suspension of officials following allegations of inmate rapes at the Central Prison.
- The lawyer Lito Kariolou is demanding an investigation and the suspension of officials following allegations of inmate rapes at the Central Prison.
- Kariolou has also lodged a complaint with the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), seeking international oversight of the investigation process.
Kariolou represents a client who claims to have endured repeated sexual assaults by fellow inmates. In a letter addressed to the Attorney General and the President of the Republic, she has requested both a suspension of her client’s sentence and the appointment of independent investigators to thoroughly examine the situation.
The Prisons Department has acknowledged the allegations, stating that they have been informed by the Police that the criminal investigation is progressing. They have assured that once the examination is complete, the case file will be forwarded to the Law Office for further action.
However, Ms. Kariolou insists that an independent investigator is essential for a comprehensive inquiry into what she describes as “criminal offenses arising from the attempt to cover up criminal acts by the Central Prison Administration.” She believes that suspending the involved officials is crucial to prevent any intimidation or influence on witnesses.
She noted similarities between her client’s case and a 2014 gang rape incident, where prison guards were suspended and the prison director was transferred. This historical context adds weight to her current demands.
Kariolou has also lodged a complaint with the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), seeking international oversight of the investigation process.
According to her client’s allegations, he was raped multiple times in his cell, and the attackers allegedly used a narcotic to incapacitate him. Furthermore, he claims to have been beaten, and the assaults were recorded and circulated, causing him severe humiliation.
The lawyer has expressed serious concerns about the ongoing investigation, citing deficiencies in the handling of the case by the Nicosia CID. She argued that the investigation violates her client’s rights, particularly as investigators deemed the inquiry complete without addressing illegal recordings or the distribution of the rape video.
Ms. Kariolou holds the Central Prison Administration accountable for failing to protect her client, highlighting the “inhumane and degrading” conditions he faced while held at Lakatamia Police Station. She has intervened to secure medical attention for a serious foot infection he developed during his detention.
The timeline of events indicates that her client was admitted to Central Prison on August 8th and transferred to a high-security section on August 14th. The alleged incidents occurred shortly thereafter, on August 15th and 16th.
She accuses the Prison Administration of attempting to cover up the incidents, stating that officials did not inform the Police of her client’s complaints, failed to arrange a forensic examination, and neglected to provide psychological support. Notably, despite being aware of the alleged perpetrators since August 18th, one of them was released and remains at large.
On August 25th, following a relative’s complaint, the Nicosia CID recorded a statement from the complainant, who was not informed of his right to legal aid. Then, on September 15th, after media coverage of the case, the Prison Administration transferred her client to Lakatamia Police Station, where he continues to face harsh conditions. During this transfer, he was informed for the first time about the existence of the rape video and its extensive circulation.
