The Pafos District Court ordered the detention for eight days of Halabi Adel 41 years from Syria who has been arrested on suspicion of trafficking people to Cyprus last night off the coast of Polis Chrysochous.
The man faces charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, aiding prohibited immigrants to enter or stay in the Republic, smuggling of migrants by sea, transport of persons by sea and unsafe or overloaded vessel.
According to police information, the Syrian was the captain of the vessel carrying 27 people to Cyprus (18 men, 6 women and 3 children). The man denies the accusations saying that he himself had paid a cash amount of 2,000 US dollars to travel with the others to Cyprus.
Meanwhile, in statements on the issue, Minister of the Interior Socratis Hasikos said that he considers the issue to be a single incident and that there should be no concern as to a massive flow of Syrians to Cyprus.
He added that they have been transferred to the Kofinou Reception Center and those who want will proceed with the application procedures for asylum, according to the law.
The fishing boat, with 27 people on board, including six women and three children, was located last night some 14 nautical miles north of the Akamas peninsula on the northwestern coast of Cyprus.
All people on board a fishing boat who departed from Turkey, have been rescued, according to a press release by the Ministry of Defence.
According to an official press release, by the Ministry of Defence, the Search and Rescue Centre activated immediately the National Rescue Special Plan “NEARCHOS”. Two vessels from the Port and Marine Police were sent to the area, designated by the Search and Rescue Centre which was in charge of the rescue operation.
At the same time the Police, the Immigration Department, the Medical Services and Civil Defence were mobilized to deal with the matter and provide assistance where needed.