Cyprus Supreme Court orders release of Lebanese national held for deportation

The Supreme Court of Cyprus has ruled the continued detention of a Lebanese national for deportation purposes to be unlawful, ordering his immediate release. The court determined that because Lebanese authorities have refused to accept him and there is no clear prospect of his timely deportation, his detention can no longer be justified.

The individual had been held for over a year under arrest and deportation orders. His legal team argued that the detention exceeded necessary timeframes and that authorities failed to consider alternative measures. While authorities argued the detention was necessary to prevent flight and interference with deportation, the court found the lack of a realistic prospect for his return rendered the continued custody invalid.

The individual's history includes a 2021 conviction by the Paphos Assize Court for conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm, as well as subsequent convictions for unlawful stay. He had previously sought international protection in 2019, which was rejected.