Police detain staff before verifying work documents
A well-known pizza restaurant in Cyprus was the target of a surprise police raid yesterday afternoon by the Immigration Department, according to reports.
Owner criticises police actions
Andreas Savva, owner and director of the pizza chain, told SIGMA’s “Mesimeri kai Kati” programme that police entered the food preparation area without warning, detaining two employees and the restaurant manager. He said staff were ready to present all documents proving their legal employment, but officers did not accept them before proceeding with the arrests.
Employees cleared of wrongdoing
The necessary documents were later submitted to authorities, confirming that the employees were legally employed. Savva described the police behaviour as “the worst” he has experienced.
Background of the incident
According to the owner, the raid followed a complaint received by the authorities. He indicated that a formal complaint will be filed against the Immigration Department, noting that the detained employees are in poor psychological condition. Savva added that the situation could have been handled without a sudden raid, by summoning staff to the office for document verification.
Also read: Eurostat: Asylum applications drop in Cyprus and EU in December 2025
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