A Somali woman and her husband have alleged inhumane and racist treatment in an incident that unfolded in central Nicosia on Tuesday night.

Thirty-year-old Kamga Kengne was expecting his wife, Hobo, to return by bus from a doctor’s appointment on Tuesday evening, when instead he received a call from his brother-in-law that she had been beaten on the street and held for hours in a cell at the Nicosia central police station, he told the Cyprus Mail.

According to Kengne’s retelling his wife and her brother had entered a coffee shop in downtown Nicosia, where he had asked to use the toilet.

The employee had rudely refused and told them to get out, despite Hobo’s pleas on her brother’s behalf.

When Hobo allegedly questioned the employee’s insulting behaviour the latter called on two patrons sitting outside to help get rid of the pair.

The situation escalated from there, with Hobo and her brother getting beaten while the police were called to the scene.

Instead of arresting the attackers, the police took Hobo by car to the station and held her for four hours without water and without providing any first aid for her injuries, Kengne said, as well as calling her i mavri (the black) instead of by her name.

She was finally released while it is alleged that the perpetrators suffered no consequences.

Kengne has sent letters about the incident to various authorities and human rights watchdogs on behalf of his wife.

“My wife already suffered from depression and her mental health has taken a severe downturn after this,” Kengne, who is co-parent to the couple’s three children, said.

“How can you leave someone bloody in a cell for hours without help? What kind of police is this?”

Cyprus Mail has contacted the police and the Human Rights Commissioner for comment.