Man arrested for stealing a passenger's watch at Ercan airport found to be residing illegally in north Cyprus

An individual was arrested at Ercan Airport after stealing a wristwatch dropped by a passenger on December 5. 

The suspect, BC, a Turkmenistan national who was arrested at Ercan Airport for “theft,” was brought before the court on Saturday December 7.

The police officer who presented the facts in court stated that on December 5, 2024, at 10:30 AM, while the suspect was present as a passenger at Ercan Airport, he committed theft by picking up a wristwatch that another passenger, had dropped while passing through the X-Ray machine.

The officer explained that following a complaint filed by the owner on the same day, security camera footage at Ercan Airport was reviewed, and the suspect was identified. The wristwatch was found in the suspect’s possession in the passenger departure lounge and was seized as evidence.

The officer further noted that the suspect was arrested red-handed and transferred to the Demirhan Police Station for further processing. Upon checking immigration records the same day, it was discovered that the suspect had been residing in the country without authorization for 1,102 days since November 29, 2021.

The officer stated that the investigation had been completed and noted that the suspect had no residence permit or ties in the country, requesting that the suspect be remanded in custody.

After evaluating the testimony, the judge ordered the suspect to remain in prison as a pre-trial detainee for a period not exceeding 20 days.