37 illegal residents arrested across north Cyprus police raid, including one who had been living without permit for 11 years

Authorities in North Cyprus have detained 37 undocumented migrants during coordinated operations carried out in Lefkoşa, Demirhan and Gönyeli on Sunday.

The individuals, originating from countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sudan, were brought before a court in Lefkosa on Monday September 1 on charges of residing in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) without valid permits.

According to police testimony, one of the detainees — a Zambian national — had been residing illegally in the country since 2014, marking nearly 11 years without valid documentation.

Five people identified in Gönyeli

Police patrols in Gönyeli on August 31 identified five individuals who were unable to provide valid residency documents after they were found behaving suspiciously.. Among them, Zambian national, GN who was found to have been residing illegally for nearly 11 years, since November 30, 2014. Other detainees included Nigerian nationals ISO who had overstayed since February 4, 2022 (1,371 days), FOO, since June 27, 2023 (825 days), Sudanese national EMAH since December 1, 2024 (275 days), Turkish national YED since June 7, 2025 (86 days).

A large-scale operation in the Güngör Ağıllar area of Demirhan, Gaziköy, and Haspolat led to the arrest of 21 undocumented migrants mostly from South Asia and Africa.

They include: MUH who had been residing illegally in north Cyprus since February 28, 2023 (915 days), MSH since November 15, 2024 (594 days), AA since November 21, 2021 (283 days), MAA since June 17, 2024 (410 days), FK since September 17, 2024 (348 days), QM since March 10, 2025 (174 days), SR since July 2, 2025 (60 days), OH since August 4, 2025 (57 days), HM since May 8, 2025 (51 days), HR since August 8, 2025 (53 days), AM since August 4, 2025 (37 days), JH since August 8, 2025 (23 days), MAF since August 10, 2025 (21 days).

In Gaziköy, also within Demirhan’s jurisdiction, police arrested additional individuals: MAR since December 1, 2024 (243 days), TA since April 23, 2024 (495 days), VNF approximately 1,006 days, GB for 88 days, SK for over 1,010 days.

Meanwhile, in Haspolat, police detained: JI, who had been in the country illegally since January 10, 2025 (233 days), SS, since November 15, 2024 (289 days).

Lefkosia Operation

In Lefkoşa, teams from the Crime Prevention Unit (ÇÖŞ) apprehended 11 more undocumented migrants. The following individuals were found to have been residing in the TRNC without valid permits: AR since August 16, 2023 (746 days), SM since March 1, 2024 (548 days), IA since April 1, 2024 (517 days), MEA since July 23, 2024 (404 days), MA since September 30, 2024 (335 days), AH since January 20, 2025 (223 days), HZ since August 12, 2024 (384 days), MR, since September 14, 2024 (351 days), MAK, since July 6, 2025 (56 days), NB, since July 16, 2025 (46 days).

Court Ruling and Official Response

Police prosecutors noted that investigations would continue under the Ministry of Interior’s Immigration Department.

The presiding judge ruled that all 37 detainees remain in police custody for an initial two-day period to allow authorities to determine whether the suspects had been involved in other criminal activities during their stay in the country.

The Ministry of Interior emphasized that operations targeting irregular migration will continue nationwide in coordination with district administrations and the Immigration Department. Officials stressed that combating illegal residence is vital for maintaining public order and security, adding that inspections will be carried out regularly and legal action will be taken against offenders.

Immigration Checks Conducted in Taşkınköy and Surlariçi

Meanwhile, the police carried out immigration inspections in Taşkınköy and Surlariçi districts of Lefkoşa as part of ongoing nationwide efforts to combat illegal residency.

The operation was conducted by the Ministry of Interior’s Migration Center in coordination with the Lefkoşa District Office. Officials checked the legal status of foreign nationals residing in the two neighborhoods.

The Ministry emphasized that these inspections are part of a determined strategy to curb illegal residency, highlighting their importance for public order and community safety. Authorities confirmed that the checks will continue at regular intervals across the country and that legal action will be taken against those found living without valid permits.