Four more arrests for illegal migrant transport by sea

Four men aged were arrested on Sunday for enabling illegal migrants, setting off from Syria, to enter the Republic.

According to police, members of the coast guard identified and escorted the migrants to safety when the small boat in which they were travelling ran aground 8.5 nautical miles southeast of Cape Greco, at around 3.45pm.

The boat was carrying 19 passengers, 14 adult men and five unaccompanied minors.

Due to prevailing weather conditions, it was deemed necessary for their safety for the migrants to board the coast guard’s vessel and dock in Paralimni at the Golden Coast fishing shelter, police said. The migrants were then transferred to the reception centre in Pournara.

Police obtained testimonies against four men, aged 19, 20, 21 and 32, for the offences of illegal entry into the territory of the Republic and transporting illegal migrants.

The four were arrested are expected to be brought before the District Court of Famagusta on Monday.

This is the 15th vessel intercepted transporting illegal migrants to the island since May 19. In less than two months, 383 illegal migrants have entered the Republic’s territory from the sea, via Syria and Lebanon.