Ugandan national held at Larnaca airport upon arrival in Cyprus in November released from detention on court orders

The Cyprus (south) Supreme Court has ordered the immediate release of a Ugandan national who had been detained at Larnaca Airport since November 11, 2024 ruling his detention illegal and citing violations of fundamental refugee law provisions.

The victim arrived in Cyprus via Cairo on November 11, 2024 holding a 15-day Cypriot visa issued by the Cyprus Consulate in Nairobi, Kenya. Immigration authorities denied him entry, deeming him not to be a genuine visitor, and confined him to a designated holding area at the airport.

Whilst initially scheduled to depart Cyprus on November 14, the man expressed his intention to seek international protection status, formally filing his application on November 19. In his application, he claimed his life was at risk in his home country.

The Asylum Service rejected his application on December 13. The applicant subsequently filed an appeal with the International Protection Administrative Court, maintaining his asylum seeker status.

Justice G. N. Giasemis, delivering the ruling on Wednesday January 29, noted that given the pending appeal, the applicant retains asylum seeker status and is entitled to freedom of movement.

The court granted a habeas corpus application, ordering the applicant’s immediate release.