An Orthodox priest has been arrested after his wife told police he had kidnapped their three young kids and took them to his native Syria.
The priest, a Christian Orthodox based in Soleas community, took the three children, all minors, and disappeared last week, the woman told the Astromeritis police station. She is also of Syrian origin and has Cypriot citizenship.
After authorities issued a warrant for her husband’s arrest, the priest contacted Cypriot authorities while in Syria and told them he would return voluntarily to the island but without his children.
The man said he wanted to leave his kids with relatives in Syria until it was time to start school again, saying they would be coming back in time for school.
Upon his return to Cyprus, police were waiting for the priest on the Nicosia-Astromeritis highway where they pulled him over on Thursday.
The priest went to the police station to give a statement and he is expected to appear in court on Friday for his remand hearing.
Cyprus weekly