Eight Illegal Migrants Cross from Cyprus to Northern Cyprus for Immigration Amnesty

Eight illegal migrants who crossed the border between the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus to benefit from an immigration amnesty have appeared in court.

The defendants, seven Pakistani nationals and one Bangladeshi citizen, illegally crossed the border from the southern part of the island to the northern part. They were arrested for violating the first-degree military prohibited zone.

According to police reports, the suspects were apprehended at approximately 10:30 p.m. on August 13 during an operation conducted on the Gaziköy–Ercan Airport road.

The defendants admitted to illegally crossing the border by car. Their main reason for coming to Northern Cyprus was to take advantage of the newly introduced immigration amnesty.

Additionally, a black waist bag belonging to one of the suspects was found to contain a substance suspected to be drugs. This substance has been sent to the State Chemical Laboratory for analysis.

The judge ordered the suspects to be detained for two more days for further investigation.

It is worth noting that the immigration amnesty officially began in Northern Cyprus on August 5.