Filenews 22 January 2026 - by Michalis Chatzivasilis
A group of Syrians detained in the Central Prison yesterday spontaneously abstained from the soup kitchen, citing a delay in the procedures for their release with a presidential pardon, so that they could return to their country.
Information from Filenews states that Syrians detained in ward 11 of the Central Prison yesterday refused to go to the kitchens for lunch, in reaction to the delay they believe is observed in their early release.
It is noted that the Government, after the releases of Christmas and New Year's Day, had decided, in the context of the decongestion of the prisons, the release of about 130 other persons, most of them of Syrian origin. These releases were part of the return program to their country, mainly of Syrians, who had been convicted of non-serious crimes and wished to be repatriated.
On the basis of criteria, the list sent by the Prisons to the Legal Service included about 130 persons, whose sentence expires in 2026. It was judged that it would be in the interest of the state for them to return to their country instead of being detained here and burdening the prison system, as long as the offenses for which they were punished do not concern the taking of life or attempted taking of life, drugs, sexual offenses and robberies, etc.
To the Syrians who reacted yesterday, it was explained by the prison management that all the necessary procedures must be done to examine their applications for release with presidential pardon and repatriation, and already a team of the Aliens and Immigration Service of the Police goes to the prisons every day and studies all the cases (travel documents, status and area of residence).
After the explanations given to them, they ended their "uprising" while it is expected that the releases and returns of Syrians to their country will begin soon. On the same issue, the Syrian ambassador to Cyprus had sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting the return to Syria of those prisoners who fell within the criteria that had been set.
