President Christodoulides pardons 11 foreign convicts for immediate deportation

President Nikos Christodoulides has issued a pardon for eleven foreign nationals currently serving sentences in Cyprus's central prison. These individuals, who were originally scheduled for release later in 2024, will be deported immediately to their countries of origin. This initiative is part of a broader government strategy aimed at addressing severe overcrowding within the correctional system. To ensure public safety, those deported have been placed on a prohibited list to prevent their return to the Republic of Cyprus. The decision follows reports from the Council of Europe highlighting the deteriorating living conditions and lack of space for inmates. Authorities confirmed that more than 160 third-country nationals have already been deported over the last few months as part of these measures.