Supreme Court of Cyprus rules detention of Sierra Leone national for deportation remains lawful

The Supreme Court of Cyprus has dismissed a habeas corpus application filed by a national of Sierra Leone currently detained for deportation. The applicant, who entered Cyprus illegally in 2015, argued that his prolonged detention became unlawful due to the duration of the process and alleged administrative inactivity. The Court ruled that the detention remains lawful as it has not exceeded reasonable limits. Background information indicates the individual was arrested for illegal entry in 2015 and subsequently had his asylum claims and appeals rejected. His deportation process was repeatedly suspended due to legal actions he initiated. Furthermore, the individual served an eight-year prison sentence for criminal offences prior to his current detention for deportation. The Court reiterated that while detention for deportation cannot be indefinite and requires active removal efforts, the current duration is justified given the specific circumstances of the case.