Limassol court acquits two police officers of torture and assault charges

A Limassol court has acquitted two police officers of charges including torture, cruel and degrading treatment, and actual bodily harm. The case stemmed from an incident on September 9, 2016, involving an Iranian man at his residence during a family dispute. The complainant alleged that the officers acted aggressively, restricted his movement, used offensive language regarding his nationality and religion, struck him, and threw water in his face. The second defendant was acquitted at the prima facie stage due to insufficient evidence of personal involvement. The first defendant was initially cleared of the torture charge at the prima facie stage due to a lack of evidence regarding criminal intent. Following the defense proceedings and an unsworn statement, the court acquitted the first defendant of the remaining charges of cruel treatment and physical assault. The ruling concludes the legal proceedings initiated after the 2016 complaint.