World
Refugee Trafficking: Cyprus busts refugee trafficking ring as more arrive from Mideast
NICOSIA: Police in Cyprus on Monday arrested ten people suspected of working a criminal offense gang trafficking migrants, because the island noticed a recent spike in arrivals over the weekend.
Cyprus, which lies on the crossroads of three continents, has seen irregular migration rise since 2017. Cypriot officers have in latest days repeatedly expressed concern that the quickly deteriorating safety scenario within the Center East might result in a surge in individuals fleeing the world.
Some 264 Syrians arrived over the weekend after setting off from the Lebanese coast, an inside ministry spokesperson mentioned.
Police mentioned the trafficking suspects have been arrested at varied places within the western Paphos district on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a criminal offense, being members of a prison organisation, trafficking and cash laundering.
A considerable amount of money was discovered within the possession of 1 suspect, police mentioned.
Arrivals this yr are nonetheless significantly decrease than a record-breaking 21,565 asylum purposes made for the entire of 2022, based on figures from the UN refugee company UNHCR. Till the top of August, Cyprus had obtained 7,369 asylum purposes from new arrivals.
Cyprus, which lies on the crossroads of three continents, has seen irregular migration rise since 2017. Cypriot officers have in latest days repeatedly expressed concern that the quickly deteriorating safety scenario within the Center East might result in a surge in individuals fleeing the world.
Some 264 Syrians arrived over the weekend after setting off from the Lebanese coast, an inside ministry spokesperson mentioned.
Police mentioned the trafficking suspects have been arrested at varied places within the western Paphos district on suspicion of conspiracy to commit a criminal offense, being members of a prison organisation, trafficking and cash laundering.
A considerable amount of money was discovered within the possession of 1 suspect, police mentioned.
Arrivals this yr are nonetheless significantly decrease than a record-breaking 21,565 asylum purposes made for the entire of 2022, based on figures from the UN refugee company UNHCR. Till the top of August, Cyprus had obtained 7,369 asylum purposes from new arrivals.
