Over 5 Months, Nearly 4500 Migrants Expelled from Cyprus

In the first five months of 2024, the Republic of Cyprus has repatriated nearly 4500 migrants.

According to the police, the latest joint forced deportation operation targeting immigrants illegally residing in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus occurred on Tuesday, May 21, in cooperation with the authorities of Cyprus and Greece, under the coordination of the European organization FRONTEX, as reported by the Cyprus police.

According to statements from the special services, this marks the seventh participation of the Cypriot police in joint FRONTEX operations for the repatriation of third-country nationals during 2024. Employees of the Foreigners and Immigration Service (YAM) took part in the international operation.

As of Friday, May 24, a total of 4491 people have been repatriated from the country since the beginning of the year.

"As of today, a total of 4491 people who were illegally residing in Cyprus have been repatriated as part of the efforts of the police and the authorities of the Republic to repatriate third-country nationals to their countries of origin," the statement said. It is noted that during the same period last year, 3489 people were repatriated.

Recall, in April, it was announced that Cyprus was "in a state of crisis" due to the growing number of migrants arriving on the island. The President of the country, Nicos Anastasiades, appealed to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to intervene in the situation.

On May 1, the head of the European Commission arrived in Cyprus on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the country's accession to the EU. Following her visit to the island, Ursula von der Leyen, along with Nicos Anastasiades, traveled to Lebanon.

Earlier, it was reported that Cypriot authorities had suspended the process of considering applications from Syrian migrants for refugee status.