The Cyprus Court of Appeal has overturned a previous ruling and ordered the detention of a 46-year-old father and his two adult children, aged 23 and 21, who face a total of 122 charges related to serious allegations of violence and abuse against minors within their family.
The court also upheld concerns over risks including possible flight, witness interference, and repetition of offences, citing the severity of the case.
Missing minors reappearing in police appeal
At the same time, Cyprus Police have reissued public alerts for three missing children from the same wider case, urging the public to assist in locating them.
The missing teenagers include Sarra Esaifan, 17, and her sister Kawtar Esaifan, 14, both originally from Palestine. They have been missing since June 30, 2026, from their accommodation in Aglantzia.
A third missing child, Ahlam Esaifan, 15, was reported missing from her home in Famagusta District on the same date.
Police descriptions and appeal
Sarra Esaifan is described as approximately 1.62m tall with a normal build and black hair. At the time of disappearance, she was wearing blue knee-length shorts, a grey T-shirt, a black jacket and black-and-white trainers.
Kawtar Esaifan is approximately 1.60m tall with a normal build and medium-length black hair. She was last seen wearing blue shorts, a grey T-shirt and white trainers.
Ahlam Esaifan is described as approximately 1.60m tall, with a dark complexion, brown eyes and long curly brown hair.
Police have urged anyone with information to contact the Cyprus Police or the Citizen’s Line at 1460.
Court details on 122 charges
The Court of Appeal accepted the Attorney General’s appeal, finding that the original court had erred in releasing the defendants under conditions.
Judges ruled that there was a real risk of flight due to the seriousness of the charges and potential lengthy sentences, as well as risks of witness interference, including alleged attempts to influence a minor complainant.
Despite noting that the accused have lived in Cyprus for 20 years as recognised refugees and have clean criminal records, the court said these factors were not sufficient to outweigh the risks identified.
The three accused face charges spanning alleged abuse between 2013 and May 2026, including systematic physical and psychological violence, neglect, assault, sexual harassment, attempted sexual abuse of a child and other serious offences.
Investigations and court proceedings remain ongoing ahead of the trial scheduled for July 16, 2026.
Also read: Father and sons accused of torturing family, face 122 charges
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