A 20-year-old Syrian man has been arrested over claims he raped a three-year-old boy in a refugee camp in Greece.

Alshahada Thamer, 20, was taken into custody after the boy's mother, whose nationality is unknown, found him crying and bleeding in the camp.

The incident allegedly occurred in the Agia Eleni refugee camp near the city of Ioannina in north-western Greece.

Alshahada Thamer, 20, was arrested after a three-year-old boy was found bleeding and in pain at the Agia Eleni refugee camp in north-western Greece

The mother claims that her son had visited the sports facilities in the refugee camp, and had come running back to her in tears.

She said as well as having external injuries, her son had complained about pain in his lower abdomen and genitals.

The mother took her son to the University Hospital of Ioannina, where medical staff confirmed that the boy had been sexually abused.

In custody: Thamer was located after medics confirmed the boy had been sexually assaulted, however it is not known how he is linked to the boy

The police were informed and managed to locate Thamer who was reportedly in the camp at the time of his arrest.

He was arrested on suspicion of rape, however it is not known how he is linked to the boy.

It is unclear if the suspect has been charged and the investigation is ongoing.

Reports from the UN and NGOs have expressed concern over the rise in victims of sexual predators in Greek refugee camps, according to local media.