Syrian prisoners held at Central Prison staged a meal boycott on Wednesday over delays in their early release under presidential pardon to return home.
Syrians in wing 11 refused to go to the kitchens for lunch as a protest against what they view as slow processing of their cases, according to philenews sources.
The government had decided to release around 130 more prisoners, most of Syrian origin, following Christmas and New Year releases aimed at easing prison overcrowding. The releases form part of a repatriation programme for mainly Syrians convicted of non-serious crimes who wish to return home.
The list sent from the prisons to the Law Office includes around 130 people whose sentences expire within 2026. Officials deemed it in the state’s interest to return them rather than keep them in Cyprus and burden the prison system, since their offences did not involve murder, attempted murder, drugs, sexual crimes or robberies.
Prison management told the protesters all necessary procedures must be completed to examine their applications for release and repatriation. A Police Immigration Service team already visits the prisons daily to examine cases, including travel documents, status and area of residence.
The prisoners ended their protest after receiving the explanation. Releases and returns of Syrians are expected to begin soon.
Syria’s ambassador to Cyprus had sent a letter to the Foreign Ministry requesting the return of prisoners who met the set criteria.
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