LARNACA police have released a suspect arrested in connection with the rape of a 10-year-old boy after the victim identified a 37-year-old local man as the alleged attacker, it emerged yesterday.

The 37-year-old man was remanded in custody for six days as the first suspect, 34, was released late Friday night after spending a day in custody.

The 10-year-old Palestinian had been in hospital since Wednesday night’s incident.

Police spokesman Andreas Angelides said the suspect and a motorcycle he allegedly used that night had been identified by the boy.

Angelides also confirmed reports that the 37-year-old had done jail time in the past for manslaughter and is currently facing charges in connection with trying to sexually abuse two minors in the Nicosia district.

“Beyond the investigation of criminal offences, the relevant services are also kept informed because, as you understand, we are talking about serious cases with sensitive issues,” the spokesman said.

The suspect denies involvement in the case. Police expects the result of a DNA test will shed more light.

Details of the case were scarce yesterday, as the court convened behind closed doors.

Reports said the boy had identified the man at the Larnaca police HQ on Friday evening.

State broadcaster CyBC said the suspect had gone to the station to report as part of his bail terms on his existing charges.

The broadcaster said the child fainted at the sight of the suspect and when he came to he named him as the alleged rapist.

It was not immediately clear whether the presence of both victim and alleged attacker at the station had been a coincidence.

CyBC said however that authorities had suspected the 37-year-old all along though they had had to detain the first suspect because he fitted the description given to them by an eyewitness.

Angelides said a 16-year-old witness also put the first suspect in the area when the perpetrator approached the 10-year-old.

The boy was on his bike at around 9 pm on Wednesday when a man on a motorbike forced him to go along with him to “show him his dog”.

The man then took the boy to a rooftop and raped him at knifepoint.

Cyprus Mail