A Queensland man who allegedly engaged in suspicious activity with a child in Cyprus appeared before Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.
He was charged with engaging in sexual intercourse with a child outside of Australia.
The investigation began when Cyprus police received a report from the public, someone had witnessed the adult man allegedly engage in the act with a child on a deserted beach in Protaras, Cyprus.
Police identified him as an Australian man travelling in Cyprus and alerted Australian Federal Police members based at the embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.
The AFP Beirut Post then contacted the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) and the Brisbane Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team in Queensland.
Superintendent B Kiriaki Lambrianidou of Cyprus Police says that they continue to systematically investigate such crimes regardless of the origin of the perpetrator or the victim.
“The prompt response of AFP Beirut Post and the willingness of the investigators to proceed with the information provided by Cyprus Police, indicates that international police cooperation can save lives and souls, especially of the unprotected ones, such as children, and bring offenders to justice,” she said.
On October 21, a search warrant was executed by police at the man’s home, seizing clothing that allegedly link the man to the offence.
The man was arrested and charged with:
One count of engaging in sexual intercourse with a child outside Australia, contrary to section 272.8(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth)
The maximum penalty for the offences is 25 years imprisonment.
AFP Superintendent Sascha Austin says they too are committed to finding offenders alleged to be involved in child sexual abuse across the world.
“This arrest should serve as a warning that law enforcement is dedicated to fighting child sexual abuse and bringing those who commit these offences before the court no matter where they occur,” Austin said.
“The AFP and its partners, like the Cyprus Police are committed to combatting child exploitation and this arrest highlights the strength of this commitment.”
Members of the public who have information about people involved in child abuse are urged to contact the ACCCE at www.accce.gov.au/report. If you know abuse is happening right now or a child is at risk, call police immediately on 000.
If you or someone you know is impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation, support services are available at www.accce.gov.au/support.
