A 52-year-old Cypriot taxi driver has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for kidnapping and raping a 23-year-old female tourist in July 2022, the Famagusta Criminal Court ruled yesterday.
The man was found guilty of rape, kidnapping with intent to sexually abuse, and indecent assault against a woman.
The victim, who was holidaying in Ayia Napa, had booked a taxi on July 13, 2022 to take her to Larnaca airport for her departure flight.
Instead of driving to the airport, the defendant took her to a coastal area against her will, where he sexually assaulted and raped her, the court heard.
The victim reported the incident to Famagusta CID on the same day, leading to the driver’s arrest.
The case was subsequently filed before the Famagusta Criminal Court. The defendant pleaded not guilty, resulting in a full trial which was held behind closed doors to protect the victim’s identity.
