Three illegal migrants arrested

Police on Tuesday said they have arrested three illegal migrants, two of whom attempted to depart the island using fake travel documents.

According to police, two men aged 23 and 24, arrived at Paphos international airport on Monday to board a flight to Italy.

However, suspicions were raised as to their Bulgarian passports during passport check.

The two admitted to police that the documents were fake and submitted their real personal information.

Further examinations showed the pair had requested international protection which was denied on May 19 this year and a rejection letter was issued the next day.

Police said the two did not file an appeal within the set deadline of 30 days, hence they are considered to have been staying illegally in the Republic since May 19.

They were also arrested for forgery.

A third man, 23, was also arrested in a village in Paphos for staying illegally in the country.

The young man arrived in the government-controlled areas from the north and had applied for asylum on September 10, 2018. His application was denied on February 1, 2019  as were additional appeals to the initial decision.

On May 24 this year, the young man was informed about the rejection of his last appeal, hence his stay in the Republic since then is considered illegal, police said.

Following their arrest, procedures for the deportation of the three people have started.