8 individuals arrested for living in north Cyprus illegally released, 26 others remanded in custody

The Lefkoşa District Court has ordered the release of eight individuals arrested for living in north Cyprus following coordinated police operations in Lefkoşa, Gönyeli, and Haspolat on August 30 while 26 others were remanded in custody for 8 more days.

The court ordered the release of eight individuals identified in Haspolat after completing their immigration procedures.

The individuals were arrested across the TRNC during a police  raid on illegal residents.

In the Güngör Ağıllar area of Lefkoşa, those detained included: OM, residing illegally since March 10, 2025 (174 days), MAA, since June 17, 2024 (410 days), SR since July 2, 2025 (60 days), FK, since September 17, 2024 (348 days), AA, since November 21, 2021 (283 days), MSH, since November 15, 2024 (594 days), MUH, since February 28, 2023 (915 days), JI, since January 10, 2025 (233 days), SS, since November 15, 2024 (289 days).

In Haspolat, additional undocumented individuals were identified, including: NF, residing without status for 1,006 days since December 31, 2022, PB, since November 29, 2024 (274 days), CN, since November 30, 2023 (640 days), AU, since June 28, 2023 (645 days), AS, since August 26, 2023 (730 days), ZMA since September 30, 2024 (346 days), ZK, since April 8, 2003 (144 days), SH, since August 17, 2022 (1,110 days), MJM, since September 7, 2024 (358 days), UM, since June 4, 2025 (88 days), TA, since April 23, 2023 (495 days).

In Lefkoşa, police detained: JFA, (Nigeria), residing illegally since November 29, 2022 (1,005 days), NMH, (Congo), since November 29, 2024 (274 days), DDR, (Congo), since November 29, 2019 (1,735 days).

In Gönyeli, police identified: AJA, since November 29, 2022 (1,005 days), TCV, since December 27, 2019 (2,073 days), MAD, since November 29, 2022 (1,005 days).

Police testified that all suspects were caught in the act and first brought to court on August 31, where they were initially remanded for three days to allow for deportation procedures. However, as the administrative process remains incomplete, the court granted an additional eight days’ detention.