Man arrested with fake travel documents

Police on Wednesday said they have arrested a man who is suspected of being an illegal migrant after he tried to depart the island using fake travel documents.

The man, who is of Asian descent, arrived at Paphos international airport on Tuesday to board a flight to Brussels. In his possession he had two passports and an Italian residence permit.

An initial examination showed the documents appeared to be fake.

Further police examinations revealed the man had arrived on the island illegally through the non-government-controlled areas.

In his statement to the police, the man admitted that he arrived in Cyprus through Tymbou airport in north Cyprus and the residence permit was fake.

He also said he purchased the document from an unknown person in the north.

The suspect is expected to be deported while he is also under investigation for forgery, circulation of forged documents and illegally entering and staying in the republic.