On June 1, he had reported to the police an incident involving a video posted on TikTok of a person with Down syndrome, in which other people were urging him to publicly remove his underwear, according to a statement by the Commission for the Protection of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities, which condemned the circulation of the video and blamed the authorities, noting that the complaint “was not adequately investigated.”

According to the Commission, such behavior constitutes “a flagrant violation of human dignity, have tragic psychological consequences for people with disabilities as well as for their immediate family, violate the fundamental rights of people with disabilities, and, depending on the facts of the case, may constitute serious criminal offenses.”

Public humiliation, mockery, and exploitation of the vulnerability of persons with disabilities cannot be tolerated in a society that respects human rights and the rule of law, it adds.

The Commission also expresses its disappointment that, although a complaint was filed on June 1, 2026, to the Cybercrime Unit on behalf of the Pan-Cyprian Organization for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities (POAA), “the incident was not adequately investigated,” resulting in the video being circulated on social media, “even though the person’s face is covered.”

The subsequent blurring of the person’s facial features does not negate either the seriousness of the incident or its consequences for the individual in question and for people with intellectual disabilities in general, she adds.

“Posts of this kind are extremely disappointing and offensive to people with intellectual disabilities. Protecting the dignity, personhood, and rights of people with intellectual disabilities is an obligation of the State and a responsibility of society as a whole. “No form of public shaming or exploitation can or should be tolerated,” the statement adds.

The Commission calls on the public to immediately report such incidents and urges the relevant authorities to act effectively and enforce the provisions of the law. Impunity for such incidents encourages the continued violation of the dignity and rights of people with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual disabilities, the statement concludes.

In a statement today, the police said they are investigating “with the utmost seriousness the case involving audiovisual material, which appears to have been broadcast live via a social media platform and in which individuals are seen encouraging a minor to engage in acts that violate his dignity.”

As soon as the incident came to the attention of the police, members of the Cybercrime Sub-Directorate launched an investigation, evaluating the available digital and other evidence and taking the necessary steps to identify the individuals who appear in or may be involved in the case.

The Police fully understand the concern this case has caused in society. The investigation is continuing with care and methodically, in accordance with established procedures and with particular caution due to the involvement of a minor, it is noted.

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Once the investigation is complete and based on the evidence gathered, an assessment will be made as to whether criminal offenses have been committed, and if so, the procedures provided for by law will be followed.

Given the nature of the case and the involvement of a minor, the Police urge the public to exercise particular responsibility and to refrain from further reproducing or disseminating the relevant audiovisual material.

It should be noted that yesterday, the Cyprus Confederation of Organizations for People with Disabilities reacted strongly to the video in question, in which individuals urge a person with a disability toexpose their genitals on TikTok.

“Shame, nothing but shame!” the CYSOA stated in a press release, noting that “a person with Down syndrome is being publicly humiliated, and the relevant authorities remain inactive. It is puzzling why the Cybercrime Division has not taken substantive action, when even a simple investigation on social media could lead to the identification of those involved.”

At the same time, she emphasized that human dignity is non-negotiable, calling for an immediate investigation into the case, protection for the affected individual, and accountability.

“The public humiliation of a person with Down syndrome is not ‘content.’ It is ABUSE.”

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