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Police have arrested four men aged 19, 22 and 23 in connection with an investigation into the alleged facilitation of illegal entry and movement of migrants in the Republic of Cyprus.
The arrests followed an incident in Nicosia at around 6.20am on Tuesday, October 27, when a police officer on duty spotted a group of people considered suspicious and called for additional officers to attend.
Police from the Aliens and Immigration Service and the Nicosia Police Division arrived at the scene and located seven people. According to police, the group had entered Cyprus illegally through the occupied areas before attempting to cross the Green Line into the government-controlled areas.
Investigators subsequently established that four of the seven people were in Cyprus under asylum status. Evidence gathered during the inquiry allegedly linked them to the suspected smuggling of migrants.
The four suspects were arrested under court warrants and detained while police continue their inquiries. They are due to appear before the Nicosia District Court on Wednesday, October 28, as authorities seek an order for their continued detention.
The other three people found at the scene were transferred to the Pournara First Reception Centre.
The Nicosia Criminal Investigation Department is continuing its investigation into the case.
