Cyprus police have arrested on Friday, a 28-year-old man suspected of facilitating the illegal entry, transit, and stay of third-country nationals in Cyprus. Authorities are investigating his alleged role in a migrant smuggling operation.

According to a police statement, the suspect appeared before Nicosia district court on Thursday morning. The court issued a seven-day detention order to allow further questioning.

The case unfolded at approximately 11.30am on Wednesday when police received information about a vehicle in Nicosia that was potentially linked to migrant smuggling. Officers swiftly located and stopped the car. The 28-year-old man was behind the wheel.

Inside the vehicle, officers found four foreign nationals. Initial reports suggest they told authorities they had been picked up from the occupied areas of Cyprus and were being transported to the government-controlled areas.

Police arrested the driver under a court warrant as part of the ongoing inquiry. The four migrants were taken to the Pournara reception centre for further processing.

The Nicosia criminal investigation department is handling the case, with further developments expected as the investigation continues.