From December 10, 2025 until January 20, 2026, 164 deportations of foreigners from detention centers and the Central Prison have taken place, government sources have told CNA.
They noted that operations to identify illegal immigrants and the flexible management for the decongestion of the Nicosia Central Prisons continue at an intensive pace throughout Cyprus and that a decision that is being coordinated with priority by the Government to address the overcrowding in prisons, along with effective control of illegal immigration, is yielding significant results.
From December 10, 2025 until the 20th of January 2026, 164 foreigners were deported from detention centers and the Central Jail, while there were 450 voluntary departures and 29 other voluntary departures (people who were illegally in the Republic of Cyprus and chose to leave voluntarily) thus 643 people.
It is recalled that the President of the Republic had announced the intention to implement measures in January and that consultations had taken place between the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Justice and the Deputy Ministry of Immigration, for the implementation of mechanisms that will enhance voluntary returns, including the possible release of approximately 100 prisoners who have been convicted of non-serious offenses and are foreigners, with respect of the legal and humanitarian frameworks, the same sources said.