There are too many illegal residents in north Cyprus with over 500 people deported since November: TRNC Minister of Internal Affairs

The TRNC Minister of Internal Affairs Dursun Oğuz has raised his voice regarding foreign students who come to the country and refuses to leave after graduating saying that over 500 people were deported since November.

Oğuz made the remarks during a broadcast by Kıbrıs Postası TV on Wednesday.

In his speech, Oğuz spoke about illegal residency of foreigners in the country. He said, "those who commit crimes must be punished, and if the law is violated, necessary action must be taken."

"I don't want to blame anyone, but they come as students and do not leave the country after completing their studies, no one questions the whereabouts of these people, and these people live illegally," said Oğuz, adding that if the state's laws are violated, necessary action must be taken.

Oğuz stated that the police force works day and night and that those arrested regarding the issue of illegal residency faces judicial processes.

Stating that 595 people deported from north Cyprus between November and February, he said there were also those in the waiting period, adding that the operation was in accordance with the procedure.

“Those who commit crimes are punished. "There are those who come to this country and do not leave the working life, there are those who enter as tourists and do not leave," said Oğuz, adding that the E-Visa system will be implemented in the future.

Oğuz noted that Turkey currently accepts people with transit visas, but not everyone with a transit visa is allowed to enter the TRNC, and said that the immigration police send back those who do not comply with the interview.