A 32-year-old police trainee has been convicted by the Nicosia District Court of sexually harassing a female colleague while at the Cyprus Police Academy between 2018 and 2019, while wearing his police uniform during training.
The officer was found guilty on all four charges: indecent assault against a woman, sexual harassment and two counts of common assault. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Eleven police officers testified as prosecution witnesses. A sergeant who received the victim’s initial complaint claimed in court he couldn’t recall when the conversation took place and denied the victim had told him about an indecent assault during a break.
The court rejected his testimony, noting he “had every reason not to tell the truth” as inaction following such a complaint would be considered “absolutely serious.”
Public prosecutor Elena Constantinou successfully proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. The court emphasised it would have been “irrational for the complainant to make such claims if they weren’t true”.
Sentencing is scheduled for next month, after which the convicted officer is expected to face disciplinary proceedings within the police force.
