Dialogos

164 Foreign Nationals Deported from Cypriot Detention Centers and Prisons Since December 10th

Published January 21, 2026, 17:02
164 Foreign Nationals Deported from Cypriot Detention Centers and Prisons Since December 10th

Since December 10th, 2025, to January 20th, 2026, a total of 164 foreign nationals have been deported from detention centers and the Central Prisons of Cyprus, while 450 have made voluntary departures and 29 have opted for voluntary returns. The total number of individuals leaving detention facilities amounts to 643. Government sources reported that operations to locate illegal immigrants and manage the decongestion of prisons are progressing at an intensive pace. The government has prioritized reducing prison overcrowding alongside effective control of illegal immigration, with these measures yielding significant results. As part of these efforts, the government is considering measures to strengthen voluntary returns, including the potential release of approximately 100 foreign prisoners convicted of minor offenses, while adhering to existing legal and humanitarian frameworks. This development follows an announcement by the President of the Republic regarding the implementation of measures within January, as well as consultations between the Attorney General's Office, the Ministry of Justice, and the Deputy Ministry of Foreigners and Migration.