Students arrested for living in north Cyprus illegally: One of them for more than 4 years

Two international students who were found to be residing in the TRNC without permission, were arrested and brought to court on Wednesday.

The individuals identified as AGM, a Nigerian national and JKM, a Congo national were identified and arrested on Tuesday February 18.

They were brought to court on Wednesday on charges of living in the country without a permit.

Speaking in court, the police said the suspect AGM was identified on at around 6:30 pm on Atatürk Street in Gönyeli during an inspection by the CÖŞ team. Upon immigration control, it was determined that the suspect had been residing in the TRNC without a permit for a total of 1,514 days since December 27, 2020.

Similarly, the police reported that JKM was identified on at around 1:15 pm on the same day on Şht. Mustafa Ahmet Ruso Street in Lefkosia by a police unit. Immigration control revealed that the suspect had been residing in the TRNC without a permit for a total of 872 days since September 30, 2022.

Noting that the investigation had just begun and that statements needed to be taken and official correspondence completed, the police requested that the suspects be detained for two days.

Following the police statement, the suspect AGM explained that the Nigerian government had sent 90 students on scholarships, including himself. He stated that he had completed seven semesters at CIU, with one semester remaining, but the government had cut his scholarship. He added that if financial support were sent, he would be able to continue his education.

After evaluating the testimony, the judge ordered that the suspects be detained for two days.