The Famagusta district court on Friday remanded a 21-year-old man for seven days to facilitate police investigations regarding the arrival of a boat carrying 25 irregular migrants on Thursday.

According to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), the boat was spotted on Thursday afternoon in the maritime area southeast of Cape Greco.

A coast guard patrol was dispatched to the area and the 25 people on board, 15 men, two women and eight minors, three of which unaccompanied, were transported a temporary reception centre in Protaras. The 25 migrants are all Syrian nationals.

During the police investigations, testimony emerged against a 21-year-old man who is alleged to have been the navigator of the boat.

He appeared before the Famagusta district court on Friday. He is accused of smuggling people illegally in the Republic.

The case is being investigated by the Famagusta district aliens and immigration unit.