CYPRUS: Immigrants rescued from a sinking boat free to go

Immigrants, rescued last week from a sinking boat off Cyprus` southwestern coast, are free to do as they wish, Interior Minister Socrates Hasikos has said, referring to some 345 Syrians who fled their country for a better living.

“The immigrants are free, they are no longer under detention, and can do as they please,” the Minister said, replying to questions at the House of Representatives, at the end of the House Interior Committee.

He said the government has supplied them will all the necessary documentation – passports and identity cards – and they are free to do what they want provided they submit an application to legalise their stay in the country, if they do not leave the island within the next three months.

Last Friday the Cypriot authorities were alerted about the presence of a boat, full of people, off the coast of Paphos, on the west. All government services were mobilised and about 345 persons, including women and children, were rescued and taken to a reception centre where they were given shelter, food and clothing, in addition to medical care.

Non governmental organisations, the Asylum Services, Civil Defence, the Police and the Social Welfare Services all rallied together to help the immigrants.