23 people arrested for residing in North Cyprus without residence permit

23 people who were found to be living in north Cyprus without a resident permit were arrested on Saturday and legal proceedings were initiated against them.

The individuals were identified and arrested during police inspections and controls carried out across the country on Saturday, April, 20.

They were taken to the Lefkosia district court on Sunday.

Among the suspects were IOO, a Nigerian and FCS, a Kenyan who were arrested in Lefkosia. Six other individuals, MAE, DOI, EC, HH, who are all Nigerians, II, from Pakistan and KAKA, from Sudan were also identified.

Police said DOI was found to have been living illegally in north Cyprus for a total of 505 days since December 1, 2022, and MAE for a total of 448 days since January 28, 2023.

II was found to have been living illegally in north Cyprus for a total of 322 days since June 3, 2023, and HH for a total of 778 days since March 4, 2022.

EC, who was a passenger in a vehicle in Lefke was searched and a butt believed to be jute-type drug was found and taken as evidence. During immigration check, it was determined that he had been living illegally in the country for 508 days since November 29, 2022. 

FCS who was detected in Lekfe - Gemikonağı on the same date, entered the TRNC with a 90-day tourist visa on February 23, 2018 and stayed there until September 30, 2019. She was studying at EUL with a student visa, but it was determined that she stayed in TRNC without permit for a total of 1664 days since October 1, 2019.

KAKA who was detected in Güzelyurt, was determined to have resided in the TRNC without permit for a total of 371 days since April 15, 2023. 

IOO, who was detected walking on the road in Cengizköy on April 20, 2024, entered the TRNC with a 90-day tourist visa on February 23, 2018 and stayed until September 30, 2019. He was studying at EUL with a student visa, but it was determined that he had been living illegally in TRNC for a total of 1664 days since October 1, 2019. 

Police stated that it will be investigated where and how the suspects resided during their illegal stay in the country and whether they committed anything during this period. Police also stated that statements regarding the suspects would be obtained from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and requested that IOO and FCS be detained for one day and the other 6 suspects for 3 days each.