Student caught trying to exit TRNC with passport belonging to another

An African who was carrying a French identity card belonging to someone else was caught at Ercan airport while exiting the TRNC.

The suspect named only as SYT was leaving north Cyprus via Ercan airport in Lefkosa at around 5:00am on August, 15, 2023 when he was found to be holding a French identity card that belongs to another.

He was arrested and taken to court in Lefkosa on Friday last week on charges of impersonation.

Police told the court that the suspect had attempted to obtain registration by false behavior by presenting a French identity card issued in the name of a different person.

Police investigation revealed that he was a student in the TRNC.

The suspect said the passport in his possession belongs to his friend and that he had taken it because he wanted to go to Europe.

Police said the suspect did not have any documents or any belongings to identify himself. 

Noting that the examination of the French identity card is continuing, the police noted that document experts expressed their opinion that the identity card is likely to be original.  

The police demanded pre-trial detention, stating that the part of the investigation that could affect the suspect was completed, and that if he was released, the suspect could escape from trial.

The suspect was ordered to remain in police custody for a period not exceeding 20 days until trial.