Two remanded for living in north Cyprus without permit

Two individuals were remanded in custody for 20 days after they were found living in north Cyprus without a resident permit.

The individuals, T.S and A.O, both Nigerians were arrested by Turkish Cypriot police on Thursday October 17. They were brought to the Lefkosa district court on Friday charged with illegal residency.

Police in a court testimony said the suspect T.S was arrested following a search conducted by the Crime Prevention Branch team in relation to a drug issue at a residence in Lefkosa at around 8:00 pm on Thursday October 17.

During immigration checks carried out on T.S who was staying in the residence in question, it was determined that she, had not had a residence permit for a total of 323 days since October 20, 2023.

On the other hand, it was determined that A.O, who came to the Immigration Department of the Lefkosia Police Department at around 11.43 am on Thursday October 17, 2024 to get his entry and exit records, has been living in north Cyprus without a resident permit for 323 days since October 30, 2023. Police said he came to the island as a student on October 21, 2020, but his student permit expired on October 30, 2023.

The officer stated that the necessary investigation was being conducted regarding the suspects and requested their detention.

The judge ordered that the suspects be sent to prison for a period not exceeding 20 days.