A total of 2,247 persons, who were staying illegally in Cyprus, have been deported from the territory of the Republic of Cyprus or repatriated in 2024 until March 8, 2024, the Cyprus Police said.

In a press release on Sunday, the Force said these deportations/repatriations took place in the context of the efforts of the Police to return third-country nationals to their countries of origin.

It is noted that during the corresponding period last year, the total number of people deported or repatriated amounted to 1,645.

The most recent joint forced-return flight took place on 5 March with the deportation of a number of persons, coordinated by the FRONTEX Agency.

This is the third participation of the Cyprus Police in a joint repatriation and deportation operation of FRONTEX this year.

It is noted that the efforts of the Police and the Aliens and Immigration Service to maximise the number of returns continue