Man held for impersonation, illegal entry

A 23-year-old man was arrested after attempting to leave the island by presenting the ID of a different person at Paphos airport, police said on Thursday.

According to a police announcement, the young man arrived at the airport and presented a Luxembourg ID during passport check. Suspicions were raised that the photo did not match the holder. To determine whether the document was fake, he was taken to the offices of the Paphos’ criminal investigation department where he admitted that the ID he was using was not fake but belonged to someone else.

The suspect, originally from Congo, said he entered the island illegally through the non-government-controlled areas on June 29, 2021.

He was arrested and is being held at the Polis Chrysochous police station.

He faces charges related to forgery, illegal entry and illegal stay in the republic.

Investigations continue in collaboration with Interpol in Luxemburg. Police also informed the Embassy of Democratic Republic of the Congo in Cyprus about the incident.