The Cyprus Police in cooperation with the Greek Police and under the coordination of the European Border and Coast Guard Organization (Frontex) organized a joint flight for the forced return of Third Country Nationals residing illegally in the Republic of Cyprus.
Specifically, on the evening of January 24, 2023, an aircraft, which was chartered by Frontex from Athens, made a stopover in Larnaca, where 38 illegally staying immigrants boarded it.
The operation was coordinated by the Aliens and Immigration Service, members of which, with the assistance of other Police departments, as well as members of the Frontex Permanent Corps, accompanied the immigrants to their countries of origin.
Under the instructions of the Chief of Police, the Aliens and Immigration Service continues to focus its efforts on maximizing the number of returns and since the beginning of the year, 107 people have already been deported, while another 360 people who resided illegally in the Republic have been returned voluntarily.
It is noted that, in 2022, 7,500 illegally residing Third Country Nationals were returned to their countries of origin.