Five people were found guilty on Tuesday by the Larnaca Assize Court of participating in an international sham marriage ring, which was centered in Cyprus and was uncovered after a major European operation.
The Cyprus Police said that the case concerns a 40-year-old Pakistani, the mastermind of the ring, his 45-year-old wife from Portugal, who recruited brides, two Indians aged 38 and 26, members of the illegal network in Cyprus, and another Indian, who performed a sham marriage.
In addition, another 11 men and one woman are on trial before the Larnaca District Court for performing sham marriages in connection with the same case.
Following investigations and interrogations it was found that a total of 132 marriages were performed in the Republic between European citizens and foreigners from third countries with an income exceeding €1 million.
The case was revealed on January 29, 2024 following a simultaneous European operation by Cyprus, Portugal and Latvia.
The information to the Cypriot authorities was received in November 2020 and after months of investigations it was revealed that women, as well as men from Portugal and Latvia, were travelling to Cyprus and performing sham marriages with foreigners, with the aim of obtaining a residence permit in the Republic and then travelling to other European countries.
Three brides from abroad testified at the trial via videoconference, whose testimony was deemed reliable.
The case will continue on Friday, for sentencing hearings. Meanwhile, all defendants will remain under detention until July 25.