Traffickers cross Buffer Zone to free areas – Their arrest followed

Defence Redefined

20/04/2021

In the framework of a coordinated operation of the Immigration Office, which facilitates the interrogations on a case of third country nationals’ illegal entry and stay in the Republic of Cyprus, four people were arrested last night.

Specifically, between 8-10 p.m. last night, after evaluating specific information, members of the Immigration Office Headquarters, the Larnaca Police Headquarters and the Illegal Immigration Prevention Team carried out a coordinated operation in an area near the buffer zone, between the villages of Lympia and Athienou. During the operation, Police members saw a number of people crossing the occupied areas, entering the free territory of the Republic of Cyprus and then getting in two vehicles.

The Police followed the two vehicles but shortly after they stopped them for a check. It was found that a total of eleven people were in the two vehicles. The driver of the first car was 28 years old, while the vehicle was carrying six other people from Afghanistan (three men, a woman and two minor children), who were found to have arrived illegally in Cyprus via the occupied areas in the previous days.

Also read: Ten adult illegal immigrants spotted on a boat off Cape Greco

The driver of the second car was 25 years old. The vehicle was also carrying a 31-year-old and a 35-year-old, as well as a man from Pakistan, who allegedly arrived in Cyprus illegally in the previous days through the occupied areas.

The police investigation raised charges against the 28-year-old, the 25-year-old and the 31-year-old, while the 35-year-old is said to be the person who accompanied the foreigners from the occupied areas to the free areas.

All four of them were arrested and detained so as to be interrogated. Offenses such as granting asylum to illegal immigrants, assisting a third-country national with profit-making purposes and assisting in illegal entry, transit and stay in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus are being investigated.

As for the other persons, they were transferred to the Immigrants’ First Registration Reception Centre in Kokkinotrimithia.

The Pera Chorio Police Station is investigating the case.

Also read: Chief of Police and FRONTEX Regional Director discuss migration flows