Man enters wife's house in north Cyprus despite court order not to, detained for one month

A Turkish Cypriot man has been sent to prison for entering his wife's apartment despite court order restricting him from doing so.

The suspect, LK, a resident of Lefkosia at around 7.30pm on February 10, 2024, while under the influence of alcohol entered entered his wife's house in Gallipoli and forcibly took her phone despite a court's order not to come closer than 100 meters to her.

He was arrested and taken to court on Tuesday, Feb., 10 on charges of 'robbery, breaking into a house at night, intentional damage, non-compliance with a protection order, unauthorized use of property, drunkenness, disturbance and inappropriate attitude and behavior, violence against women and intervention in violence against women'.

Police said the Lefkosia Family Court had ordered and ruled that he should not come closer than 100 meters to his wife, KK. 

Police said the suspect loudly asked his wife to open the door, and when his wife did not open the door, he kicked the door of the residence, damaging it by breaking the door's lock striker, and then entered the living room of the residence and took her phone from her when she tried to call the police.

Police noted that the suspect was brought to court on February 11 and received a 2-day detention order, and stated that he gave a statement during this period that he went home to make peace with his wife and broke the door because she did not open it, and then took his wife's phone in a panic because he said he would call the police.

Police said the suspect was tried for committing similar crimes against his wife on January 9, 2024, was sentenced to one month in prison, was released on February 9, 2024, and committed the crimes in question on February 10.

Police also stated that there were three records in the police regarding the suspect's violence against his wife, but since there was no complaint, no further action was taken.

Police noted that the suspect could commit the same crimes against his wife if he was released, and requested that he be detained before trial.

 The judge who evaluated the testimony given in court, ordered the suspect to be sent to prison for a period not exceeding one month.