“I want a free lawyer”: Court denies aid to migrant arrested three times
A 59-year-old foreign national detained at the Menoyia detention centre has been denied legal aid, as he is not an asylum seeker and has been arrested multiple times by Cypriot authorities.
The court dismissed his request for free legal representation to launch proceedings for his release via habeas corpus. In his application, the man- born in 1966 and currently held at Menoyia-stated, “I don’t have money to pay a lawyer” and asked for a lawyer “to get out of jail”.
The Legal Services representative objected, submitting detailed information on the man’s background and legal status in Cyprus.
According to the case file, the man arrived in Cyprus through the occupied port of Kyrenia and entered the government-controlled areas on 14 October 2002. In March 2003, he applied for international protection, but his request was rejected on 19 April 2004 by the Asylum Service. His administrative appeal to the Refugee Reviewing Authority was also denied, and he was formally asked to leave the Republic. His name was added to the stop list.
However, he did not comply. He was later arrested and imprisoned for burglary and theft. Upon release, deportation and detention orders were issued. Though conditionally released in 2011, he failed to meet the terms of his release.
In 2020, he was located again, and new deportation and detention orders were issued. He was released under alternative measures in February 2022.
On 9 March 2024, he was arrested once more for unlawful stay. New detention and deportation orders followed, and on 19 March 2025, a review upheld his continued detention.
According to the ruling, legal aid is granted only under specific procedures and conditions-typically for those applying for international protection. As the man is not an asylum seeker and has no ongoing related claims, the court concluded he does not qualify for state-funded legal representation.
Also read: 24 irregular migrants arrested in Cyprus – three repatriated
