TRNC court sends Abubakar Uthman to prison for 20 day: To undergo medical check, lawyers to get work permit for him

Abubakar Uthman who was arrested for living illegally in northern Cyprus for over 16 years was brought back to court on Tuesday where he was sent to prison for 20 days while his lawyers are planning on getting him a work permit.

Abubakar Uthman, a 44-year-old Ghanaian national was arrested by Turkish Cypriot police on Saturday August 24 after he was spotted by the police on Bedrettin Demirel Street in Lefkosa.

He was brought to the Lefkosa district court on Sunday where he was held in police custody for 2 days.

It was determined that he had resided in the TRNC without a residence permit for 5,807 days since September 30, 2008. 

In his statement to the police, Uthman said he did not work anywhere and that people he did not know gave him food and cardboard.  

On Monday, the TRNC Human Rights Committee of the Bar Association stepped in to prevent Uthman's deportation and pledged to represent him in court.

He was brought back to court again on Tuesday August 27.

Present in court were Attorney Melis Türkkal, Attorney Deniz Düzgün and Bar Association President Hasan Esendağlı.

Police told the court that the investigation was completed and requested that he be sent to prison for a period not exceeding 20 days.

The court ruled that Uthman remain in prison for 20 days and be examined by a doctor at the Peace Mental and Nervous Diseases Hospital during this period.

Bar Association President Esendağlı said that they will not object to the 20 days and that they will take action to ensure that the suspect gains legal status during this period. 

Esendağlı requested that the suspect undergo a physical check-up and a doctor's check-up at the Barış Mental and Nervous Diseases Hospital before being sent to prison.

His lawyers said a physical and mental health checks and a blood test will be conducted on Uthman. 

The lawyers stated that both Uthman’s work permit process and asylum status will be closely monitored. In addition, the Bar Association and the Refugee Rights Association (MHD) will also be following the process.

Speaking on the situation, TRNC minister of Interior, Dursun Oğuz said “Our people have expectations within this framework, but there are laws. There is a drama in every person’s life. We are currently working on this issue. We cannot go beyond the legal framework, but we are trying to solve the problems.”

Speaking on the ongoing work amnesty, he said approximately 3,300 people applied within the scope of the amnesty and 897 people were approved, while the procedures for 394 people were still ongoing.