Fifty illegal immigrants detained at the Mennogia detention center are repatriated at noon on a special chartered flight accompanied by 115 police officers.
Repatriation is based on a special program of the European Union and after all the required procedures and practices have been followed.
This is the fourth time that migrants have been repatriated under this program, but today's operation is considered the largest due to the number of people being repatriated, the police escort, and all the previous planning.
In statements to KYPE, the Press Spokesperson of the Police, Andreas Angelidis, stated that the immigrants, accompanied by a police officer, a doctor and a nurse, leave Cyprus at around two in the afternoon on a chartered flight.
He explained that this is an action plan funded by 95% of the EU Solidarity Fund's annual refund program and 5% of the KD national fund.
The specific persons, who were illegally in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, gave written consent for repatriation to their country and all the appropriate procedures were followed regarding, among other things, their vaccination.
Asked about the number of police officers accompanying immigrants, Mr. Angelidis explained that they are based on the best repatriation practices of foreigners, set by the EU FRONTEX program.
Mr. Angelidis stated that the Police provide support and assistance to immigrants based on the European program, and a decision was made after certain criteria were taken into account, such as the fact that they all come from the same country and did not have the resources to return.