Jail for man convicted over illegal migrants

A 38-year-old man has been jailed for two years after being found guilty of aiding third country nationals to illegally enter the country, having driven a boat from Syria into Cypriot waters.

According to the police, suspicious nautical activity was detected southeast of Cape Greco on the morning of March 1. The area was surveyed and a small craft was found with 18 people on board.

Those found on board were taken to the Ayia Napa marina where it was learnt that the craft had departed from the coast of Syria on February 28.

The driver of the boat, a Cypriot national, was arrested, while the 17 passengers were taken to the ‘Pournara’ migrant detention camp.