An inmate has been found dead at the Nicosia central prisons.

The 60-year-old man, who was imprisoned for the rape of his eleven-year-old grandson, was found dead in the bathroom.

The state pathologist examined the body and reported that no external injuries were found, pointing to suicide.

An autopsy is to be carried out at a later date.

In an incident last week a prisoner attempted to strangle a fellow-inmate, gripping his throat until he lost consciousness.

The central prisons have been plagued with controversy over various incidents of violence since the murder of a Turkish Cypriot inmate last October.