Filenews 22 February 2022 - by Natasha Christoforou
The phenomenon of impersonation by asylum seekers, who are trying to leave Cyprus with travel documents belonging to others and reach Central European countries, has become almost daily in recent times.
On Sunday afternoon, an uncle and niece were arrested at Larnaka Airport for facilitating interrogations in connection with an investigated case of impersonation, aiding illegal entry, stay and passage through the territory of the Republic of Cyprus and illegal entry into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
This is a 53-year-old and a 20-year-old, from Congo, who had presented themselves at Larnaka airport to depart for France. During the passport check, it was found that the French identity card presented by the 20-year-old did not depict herself, but another woman.
The 20-year-old was taken to the police offices at Larnaka airport, where she was questioned, she said that the specific travel documents were given to her by her 53-year-old uncle. Subsequently, the 53-year-old was also questioned, who allegedly confessed that the travel documents belong to his daughter and that he handed them over to the 20-year-old himself. The two were taken on Monday morning before the Larnaka District Court, which ordered their detention for a period of four days.
The phenomenon has assumed great proportions, causing concern to the Police, which has intensified controls at Larnaka and Paphos airports. From the beginning of the year until 20 February, 34 third-country nationals were identified at the two airports, who attempted to travel either with documents of others or with forged ones. The 22 cases concern Paphos airport and the 12 cases concern Larnaca airport.
"The majority of these cases involve impersonations. In other words, during the passport control, they present real documents, which belong to others," police spokesman Christos Andreou told "F".
Most of those arrested come from African countries and attempt to reach Central European countries, such as Germany, France and Belgium, where they have relatives.
"A thorough check is being carried out by the members of the Aliens and Immigration Service, who are located at the exit gates of the two airports. The foreigners are identified and we proceed to their criminal prosecution and immediate registration of the cases before the Court.
The Police, in any case, tries to locate the suppliers of the travel documents. It was found that most of them obtain identity cards and passports from abroad by post, and for this reason the assistance of other countries was requested.
