Between December 10 and January 20, a total of 164 foreign nationals were deported from Cyprus, from detention centers and central prisons, according to a report released by the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday.
In total, 643 foreign citizens left the country in 45 days. Of these, 164 were deported from prisons, 450 people left as part of voluntary return programs, and another 29 people who were illegally in the republic decided to leave on their own.
These measures are part of a coordinated Government strategy to reduce overcrowding in the prison system while maintaining effective control over illegal immigration.
The Ministry said that operations to identify undocumented migrants and regulate prison congestion are continuing intensively throughout Cyprus and are already yielding tangible results.
The deportations are carried out in accordance with the policy announced by the President in December, and implementation steps were taken in January following consultations between the Ministry of Justice and the Deputy Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration.
Discussions focused on expanding mechanisms to encourage voluntary return and possible early release of foreign prisoners convicted of “minor” crimes.
Government sources said that about 100 foreign prisoners convicted of minor crimes could be released and deported as part of a broader plan involving up to 175 prisoners.
Official figures show that there are about 1,120 prisoners in Cyprus’ prisons, with foreigners accounting for more than half.
Overcrowding in the central prison in Nicosia has persisted for many years and has caused repeated warnings from prison staff, human rights groups and international organizations.
In December, the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture expressed serious concern about prison conditions, highlighting severe overcrowding, violence between prisoners and limited access to sanitation facilities.
The report indicated that up to four prisoners were held in cells with an area of less than six square meters.
https://russiancyprus.news/news/society/164-foreign-inmates-deported-to-relieve-prison-overcrowding/
