Syrian crosses to north from Republic asking to be sent home

A Syrian national appeared in court in the north on Thursday after having been arrested for crossing illegally from the Republic and then reportedly asking the Turkish Cypriot police for help to return to his country.

The man, aged 26 years old, was arrested at the Erulku supermarket in Neo Chorio at around 8am on Wednesday after having crossed over the Green Line near Mia Milia.

Questioned by the Turkish Cypriot police with the aid of an interpreter, he explained that he had left the Republic and that he wanted help to return to his country.

In court, police officer Ozan Kusak said the man had admitted to having crossed the Green Line illegally, and thus requested that he be remanded.

Judge Jale Erguden acquiesced and ordered that the man be held in custody for a period not exceeding two months.