“Not everyone claiming to be a student can enter freely”: TRNC Minister of Interior

The TRNC Minister of Interior Dursun Oğuz responding to criticism during the General Assembly session of the Republic’s Parliament earlier in the week, stated that they are in constant communication with universities and that there is no uncontrolled entry for individuals simply claiming to be students.

Addressing concerns over the admission of university students into the country, Oğuz emphasized that individuals are turned back if their documentation is deemed unsatisfactory.

"There is no uncontrolled entry for anyone just claiming to be a student," said Oğuz, underlining ongoing coordination with universities.

He noted that, as of 2025, a total of 1,690 passengers were classified as INAD (inadmissible) and were denied entry into the country. He stressed that the main purpose of the Immigration Center is to combat irregular migration.

Minister Oğuz also provided an update on the prison population as of May 29, stating that 806 individuals are currently incarcerated at the Central Prison: 304 TRNC citizens, 274 Turkish citizens, and 228 third-country nationals.