Supreme Constitutional Court confirms findings of sham marriage

The Supreme Constitutional Court of Cyprus has dismissed an appeal filed by a Ukrainian national, confirming an administrative decision that her marriage to a Cypriot citizen was a sham. The woman arrived in Cyprus in 2000 and held various residency statuses, including work permits and a rejected asylum application, before marrying a Cypriot in 2007 to gain legal residency. In 2011, the Aliens and Immigration Unit began investigating the validity of the marriage after receiving evidence of non-cohabitation. Testimony from neighbors and field investigations indicated the woman lived with her child while the husband resided elsewhere. Furthermore, investigations revealed discrepancies in the statements provided by both parties regarding their relationship. In 2015, the Advisory Committee on sham marriages formally concluded the union was fraudulent. Consequently, the Ministry of the Interior rejected an appeal in 2016, and the Administrative Court subsequently upheld the legality of the state's decision, citing a thorough and well-reasoned investigation based on Article 7A of the Aliens and Immigration Law.