Eight Somali nationals were arrested late on 28 October 2026 near the landfill area of Alayköy, north of Nicosia, after police units caught them in the act of attempting an illegal crossing from the Turkish Cypriot north into the Republic of Cyprus.
The operation was carried out by the Crime Prevention Branch of the Nicosia Police Directorate at around 9:00 p.m. The eight suspects were identified as H.M.H. (M-23), A.M.H. (M-21), A.M.F. (M-21), A.M.M. (M-18), M.M.H. (F-23), M.M.H. (F-33), A.M.M. (F-24) and S.M.A. (F-18).
Police officer Ercan Güleser, testifying before the court, stated that the suspects had formed a covert agreement to commit a serious offence and were apprehended while preparing to cross the border unlawfully. He added that CCTV footage would be reviewed and further statements collected as part of the ongoing investigation, and requested the suspects be held in custody for one day.
Judge Dilem Akçaba approved the request, ordering all eight suspects to remain in police custody for 24 hours. The investigation is continuing.
