Egyptian national charged with sexual assault of teenager found to be illegal in the TRNC

An Egyptian national who was this week accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl has been found to be living illegally in the TRNC.

The suspect named only MA, was this week arrested and taken to court for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old Turkish Cypriot girl.

He was brought to court again on Thursday after more investigation were carried out on the matter. 

Police officer who testified in court against the suspect said the victim, a 17-year-old girl was walking on Sarayönü Street in Lefkosa at around 9:50pm on October, 13 when the suspect squeezed her breasts and ran away.

As a result of the investigation carried out on the same date, the police said that the City Security Camera footage was examined, the suspect was identified and declared a wanted person. 

He was detected and arrested on the street of the residence where he was staying in Lefkcosia on Wednesday, Oct., 25.

Police stated that the suspect admitted the crime of sexual assault in his statement. 

Police stated that during the search of the suspect's house, the clothes he was wearing during the incident were found and evidence was taken. 

Further investigation determined that the suspect had been illegal in the country for 107 days since July 9, 2023. 

Police said the suspect claimed in his statement that he had applied for a work permit and was in the final stages. Police stated that this claim of the suspect is being investigated. 

Police stated that the suspect applied for a work permit on July 22, and since the procedures were started but not completed, he does not currently have legal status in the country. 

Noting that the part of the investigation that could be influenced by the suspect was completed and that the crime of sexual assault caused concern in the society, the police requested that the Egyptian national suspect be sent to prison.

The judge who evaluated the testimony given in court ordered the suspect to be sent to prison for a period not to exceed 30 days until trial.