The Police are investigating a case of assisting third-country nationals to enter the Republic, after the arrival of a number of the same by boat in the sea area of ​​Famagusta last night.

Specifically, shortly after 22:00 on 21/6, a sea vessel was located off the coast of Cape Greco in the province of Famagusta. A crew of the Port and Maritime Police located the vessel, a wooden boat about 7 meters long, with a total of 37 persons aboard, of which 28 were men, three women and six children, all third country nationals. Escorted by a second female police officer, they were taken to the marina of Ayia Napa, where tests were carried out to verify their identity.

During the investigation, evidence emerged against two persons, aged 33 and 31, who were said to be the boat’s navigators. They were arrested by members of the Police for the flagrant crime of illegal entry into the Republic, while a case of assisting third country nationals to enter the Republic is also being investigated against them.

The remaining 35 passengers of the boat were transferred to a reception centre after completing the relevant procedures. The Famagusta CID continues the investigation.

Since the beginning of the year, 4055 third-country nationals have been repatriated – Corresponding to 87.7% of arrivals

A total of 166 third-country nationals, who were illegally in Cyprus, returned last week to their countries of origin, in the context of relevant operations of the Aliens and Immigration Service.

The operations, which took place from June 10 to 16, 2023, involved members of the Immigration Office and its provincial echelons. Of the 166 persons repatriated last week, 107 returned to their country voluntarily, while the remaining 59 cases concern forced returns.

Since the beginning of the year, through various repatriation operations, a total of 4055 third-country nationals, who were illegally in Cyprus, have returned to their countries of origin. This number reflects 87.7% of the total number of irregular immigrant arrivals in Cyprus during the same period.

Source: Cyprus Police

*File photo

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