Plane returns to Larnaca for man onboard to be arrested (updated)

Two people, aged 39 and 33, arrested at Larnaca airport late on Sunday for assisting the illegal entry of a third-country national into the republic were remanded on Monday.

Police said that the two men presented themselves at departures in Larnaca airport to travel to a European destination.

During passport control suspicions were raised that the EU passport presented by the 33-year-old was forged, while in a subsequent luggage search revealed a fake EU identity card.

Upon interrogation the 33-year-old admitted that the forged passport and identity card had been provided to him for €400 by the 39-year-old man.

The 39-year-old had already boarded the plane, which departed from the airport. However, during the flight, the man did not cooperate with airplane crew.

As a result, the pilot deemed disembarkation of the 39-year-old necessary and flew the plane back to Larnaca airport.

Upon the forced landing of the aircraft, airport security staff removed the 39-year-old.

Court warrants were issued against both men and they were arrested and detained pending further investigation.

Both men were taken before Larnaca district court on Monday where they were remanded into police custody for four days.