Storm over abduction claims

CYPRUS: Families concerned over handling of inquiry

Scots tourists are in the midst of a political storm after the Cypriot Government moved to quash allegations of an attempted child abduction.

The High Commission for the Republic of Cyprus said police investigations in the Mediterranean resort of Protaras were over and the claims of holidaymakers unsubstantiated.

It said the allegations of a criminal gang attempting to steal children from under the noses of terrified parents “unfairly tarnished” the good reputation of the country.

MSPs Alex Johnstone and Liz Smith, however, said families continued to be concerned by the events of Tuesday evening and that scrutiny by the UK police and government officials may be justified.

Mr Johnstone said: “This must have been a terrifying incident for the families and they are right to remain concerned.”

“I think under the circumstances the appropriate UK Government department should liaise closely with their Cypriot counterparts and keep the affected families updated.

“I will be contacting colleagues at Westminster to discuss this more fully.”

Ms Smith, meanwhile, said: “Clearly, the members of this group of British tourists are deeply concerned, not only about the alleged incident but also about the handling of the subsequent inquiry by the Cypriot police.”

She said policing must be the responsibility of the Cypriot authorities in the first instance, but added that “if matters cannot be satisfactorily resolved – which appears to be the case in this situation – then it is perfectly in order for the tourists to seek advice from the British police”.

In a lengthy statement, the High Commission for the Republic of Cyprus in London said: “We fully appreciate the concerns of parents regarding the safety of their children and the allegations are taken seriously by the authorities in Cyprus.

“The police took statements from the British parents who filed the complaint, as well as from the children themselves, but their statements did not corroborate the allegations concerning a possible abduction plan.”

A spokesperson said allegations were therefore “unsubstantiated” and “unfairly tarnished” the good reputation of Cyprus.

“Our country is a family friendly destination with one of the lowest crime rates in the EU,” the spokesperson added.

This must have been a terrifying incident for the families and they are right to remain concerned... MSP ALEX JOHNSTONE

Police attend at the hotel where the alleged abduction took place.