A GREEK Cypriot is being held in jail in Latvia on suspicion of trafficking in women for prostitution, reports said yesterday.

The man who has been identified in reports only as ‘Michalis’, was arrested on February 22 and can be held for three months under Latvian law without being charged.

According to reports ‘Michalis’ is a 40-year old married father of one, was visited at the weekend by the Cypriot consul to Latvia, who is resident in Stockholm, Sweden. The Consul said he was in good health even though he is a diabetic.

At the end of his three-month remand, ‘Michalis’ will be charged or released, the consul told reporters, unless he is released at the end of his first month. Latvian law allows a suspect to be brought before the court at the end of each month’s remand.

The consul visited the Greek Cypriot man last Tuesday and he reported that he did not have complaints about his detention. He said the only problem that concerned him was that the diet was not suitable for a diabetic but this has since been corrected. ‘Michalis’ is also allowed to speak weekly with the consul and he has also been allowed to speak with his wife.

According to the Latvian police the suspect was allegedly involved in trafficking in women under the pretext of recruiting them as waitresses and cleaners when in fact they would be pushed into prostitution.