Rape suspect goes berserk in courtroom

A 43-YEAR-OLD man from Limassol, suspected of abduction, assault and rape, repeatedly attempted to harm himself during a remand hearing at the Limassol court yesterday.
The man was due to be remanded on suspicion of kidnapping a 33-year-old Russian tourist.
The case only came to light when the woman – who also suffers from health issues – managed to send a text message to her mother in Russia, asking for urgent help. According to the CyBC on Wednesday night, the 33-year-old Russian had been held captive for at least four days, during which time she was repeatedly beaten and raped.
The suspect was taken to court at around 10:30am yesterday, handcuffed and under the supervision of policemen, and was led up to the first floor of the building where the hearing was to take place. He then attempted to jump from the first floor.
After being contained by police, the suspect was led to the court room. When the judge entered, however, he fell to the floor and refused to get up. He then flung himself onto the wooden benches of the courtroom and began banging his head on them, wailing and shouting uncontrollably, claiming that he suffers from psychological problems and asking police to remove his handcuffs.
The court suspended the proceedings and an ambulance was called to the scene. The 43-year-old was given sedatives and was then taken to a hospital.
The suspect’s behaviour was equally violent on Wednesday evening, after he was arrested and taken to the CID Limassol offices, reports said.
According to state radio the 43-year-old began beating his head on the walls of the CID offices and had to be taken to hospital.
Another rape suspect has also been remanded by the courts. A 48-year-old Cypriot man, a resident of Aradippou, was charged with raping his 30-year-old Russian partner after using sleeping pills to sedate her.
The suspect has two children with the victim, and the pair have been living together for three years, although they were never married. According to a police spokesperson, the 48-year-old will remain in custody until his trial date, on October 13.

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