Sierra Leone refugee sentenced to 6 years in prison for rape of roommate in Cyprus

A court in Cyprus (south) has sentenced a 31-year-old political refugee from Sierra Leone to six years imprisonment for raping his female roommate.

The incident happened in June, 2022 in the apartment shared by five people of African descent.

Delivering the sentence on Wednesday, July, 2, the Larnaca Assize Court took into consideration his admittance of guilt and the apology extended to the rape victim.

The crime of rape provides for up to a life prison sentence in Cyprus.

The Court heard that the defendant took advantage of the absence of the other people living there to enter the bedroom of the young woman who was sleeping and attempted to have intercourse with her against her will.

When awaken she had tried to push him away, however, the 31-year-old managed to subdue her and rape her. He then took her to the bathroom and washed her.

In a state of shock, the woman reported the case to Larnaca Police who promptly arrested the defendant.