Two remanded for overstaying residence permits in Northern Cyprus

Lefkoşa, 11 August 2025 — Two men who were found to have been residing in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) without valid residence permits for extended periods have been ordered to remain in custody for an additional eight days by court order.

The individuals, ÖA, a Turkish national, who has allegedly been in the country without a permit for 494 days, and NNI, a Nigerian who is accused of overstaying for 830 days, were brought before the court once again on Monday.

Presenting the case, the police testified that during a 7 August 2025 operation by the Anti-Narcotics and Anti-Smuggling Department, NNI was identified. While it was determined that he was not connected to the primary operation, a subsequent immigration check revealed that he had been residing in the TRNC without authorisation since 20 April 2023.

On the same day, ÖA was summoned to the Nicosia Criminal Division for a separate investigation. Immigration checks found that he had been living in the TRNC without permission since 31 March 2024.

The police informed the court that the suspects had previously been remanded for three days to allow time for deportation procedures to be initiated. However, no official response regarding their deportation had yet been received, prompting the request for an additional eight-day remand.

After reviewing the testimony, the judge granted the request, ordering both men to remain in custody for another eight days pending further immigration proceedings.