A 45-year-old man is facing 15 charges related to the possession and production of child pornography, some of which involve his own underage daughter. The Limassol Criminal Court has adjourned the proceedings to early March, allowing the defendant to remain free under restrictive conditions.
The charges against the man include possession, acquisition, production, and distribution of child pornography. Authorities have discovered approximately 700 image files and over 10 video files in his possession, with some of the material reportedly featuring his daughter.
This case first came to light last summer when a detective assigned to a US state police station for an undercover investigation into crimes against children made a critical discovery. During a conversation on a specific messaging app, the undercover officer learned of the man’s actions, leading to his arrest by Cyprus Police in November. Initially, the man faced charges of child sexual abuse and possession of child pornography.
Using a pseudonym, the undercover detective engaged the defendant, posing as the mother of two minors, which prompted him to confess his actions involving his daughter. Following these revelations, a thorough investigation was launched to identify the individual and scrutinise his digital data.
In addition to information provided by US authorities, Europol alerted local police after detecting conversations with others besides the undercover officer. A comprehensive examination of emails and devices ultimately confirmed the 45-year-old as the owner of the incriminating material.
Subsequent investigations led to the man’s residence, where officers from the Electronic Crime Unit arrested him. A search of his home resulted in the recovery of mobile phones and laptops, which were later forensically examined. The evidence collected includes photographs of his underage daughter.
