The police has once again released photographs of three Palestinian children missing following a court of appeals decision to overturn a district court ruling and to order that their 46-year-old father and two adult siblings be remanded in custody, as they face 122 charges of violence and abuse.

The appeals court announced on Friday that it had accepted the appeal of the attorney-general, ruling that the court of first instance had wrongly released the defendants on bail, as there was a real risk they could have absconded, influenced witnesses or reoffended.

The court said that although the defendants had been living in Cyprus for 20 years as refugees, had been working and held a clear criminal record, these elements were not sufficient to outweigh the severity of the case.

They will now remain in custody until their trial on July 16 before the Famagusta criminal court.

The crimes are said to have been committed from 2013 until May 2026. They include systematic physical and psychological abuse, child abuse, kidnapping, indecent assault, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault of a child, causing grievous bodily harm, threats and humiliation.

Ahlam Esaifan
Kawtar Esaifan
Sarra Esaifan

According to the indictment, the minors had been living in deplorable conditions for years, facing violence, food deprivation and restrictions of freedom.

The defendants are the 46-year-old father, his 23-year-old daughter and 21-year-old son.

The children missing are Sarra Esaifan, 17, Kawtar Esaifan, 14, and Ahlam Esaifan, 15.

Sarra and Kawtar were reported missing from their place of residence in Aglandjia, Nicosia, on June 30, while Ahlam went missing from her home in the Famagusta district on the same day.

Sarra is 1.62m, average weight, black hair, and was wearing blue Bermuda shorts, a grey t-shirt, a black jacket, and black and white sports shoes.

Kawtar is 1.60m, average weight, black hair and was wearing a blue Bermuda shorts, a grey t-shirt and white sports shoes.

Ahlam is 1.60m, dark, brown eyes and brown curly hair.

The police are calling on anyone who could help locate the girls to call the police on 22 802222 or 23 803040 or the Citizens Line 1460 or contact the nearest police station.