Immigration authorities in Famagusta and Larnaca arrested 13 people on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry into the Republic, following increased migrant arrivals in recent days.
Since Sunday, 761 people, believed to be Syrian nationals, have arrived on the island aboard 13 vessels.
The alleged navigators of the vessels, all reportedly Syrian nationals, are currently in custody.
On Tuesday evening, radar at the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre detected three new boats. The Port and Marine Police launched a large-scale operation to locate them.
The first vessel, carrying 27 people, was intercepted southeast of Cape Greco and escorted to Larnaca port. A heavily overloaded dinghy with 236 migrants was found shortly after and its passengers were gradually transferred to Larnaca throughout the night.
A third dinghy carrying 22 individuals was spotted near the free area of Famagusta on Wednesday afternoon and directed to the Golden Coast fishing shelter in Protaras.
Authorities arrested a 17-year-old man suspected of navigating the first vessel. He has been remanded in custody for eight days by the District Court of Larnaca.
A 23-year-old man, believed to be the operator of the overcrowded dinghy, was also apprehended on Wednesday afternoon.
Furthermore, border authorities in Famagusta arrested two men aged 16 and 25, in connection with the arrival of the third vessel in Protaras.
“In recent days, we have essentially been under attack by rotten ships,” Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou said, commenting on the situation.
He further warned that the Republic of Cyprus will no longer be able to cope if the increased migration flows continue.
He indicated that Nicosia demands a reassessment of Syria’s status and the linking of aid received by Lebanon to its ability to intercept boats destined for Cyprus.
“Cyprus does not want money; what it demands is practical solidarity from the other member states of the European Union,” noted the Interior Minister.
The U.N. human rights office stated earlier this year that based on evidence it has gathered, Syrian refugees who fled the ongoing Syrian civil war are facing gross human rights violations such as torture and abduction on their return to Syria, while women are subject to sexual harassment and violence.
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