A 29-year-old Turkish national has been arrested in Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus following allegations that he kidnapped his two-year-old son from his British mother in Apaisia village on Wednesday.
The British mother, Chloe Martin, 35, had made a public plea for help amid fears for the child’s safety, citing the father’s previous abusive behaviour. Police and local authorities are actively involved in the ongoing investigation.
According to reports, Chloe Martin alleges that her ex-partner arrived unannounced, pushed her into a swimming pool, and then fled with the child along with an accomplice. The accomplice, aged 53, has also been arrested in connection with the incident.
The suspect was found with the child in Northern Cyprus after crossing through an uncontrolled border area near the Dhekelia British military base.
Following the abduction, the suspect posted videos on social media featuring the child. In these videos, he declared his intention to protect his son and warned others not to intervene, which raised further concerns about the child’s welfare and the father’s motives.
The case presents significant legal and diplomatic challenges due to the location of the abduction. Northern Cyprus is only recognised by Turkey and is not a signatory to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, limiting the jurisdiction of UK authorities and complicating efforts to secure the child’s return.
The UK Foreign Office has confirmed it is providing support and working closely with local officials to address the situation.
Chloe Martin, who moved to Cyprus as a teenager, expressed her urgent wish to be reunited with her son. She criticised the perceived lack of assistance from the UK government and highlighted the difficulties caused by dual nationality issues and the political status of Northern Cyprus.
Originally published by UKNIP.
