The Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection has moved to revoke the residence permits of a group of Pakistani and Indian nationals who allegedly took part in violent clashes in the Agios Ioannis district of Limassol on 13 September. In a statement to SigmaLive, Deputy Minister Nikolas Ioannidis instructed the Civil Registry & Migration Department to begin immediate deportation proceedings and to coordinate with the Cyprus Police and the Ministry of Justice to ensure the removals are completed “without delay”. Officials say the measure is part of the government’s “zero-tolerance” approach toward serious criminal behaviour by foreign residents. Under Article 18ΠΘ of the Aliens & Immigration Law, the Director of the Migration Department may annul a residence permit on public-order grounds once police evidence is provided. Police confirm that videos circulating on social media show at least a dozen men wielding clubs and cleavers; three people were hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries. The ministry has also issued a warning to Cypriot employers and landlords, reminding them of hefty fines—up to €8,000 per worker—for hiring or housing migrants without valid papers. Businesses in the Limassol port and construction zones, which employ large numbers of third-country nationals, have been told to keep updated copies of all work and residence permits on site for inspection. For global mobility managers, the case highlights Cyprus’ increasing willingness to use enforcement tools rather than administrative fines when public safety is at stake. Companies that sponsor South-Asian talent for the booming shipping-services, hospitality and industrial-cleaning sectors should review compliance protocols, especially around housing quality and community relations. HR teams are advised to maintain real-time contact lists and to brief foreign employees on local laws regarding assembly, weapons possession and conflict resolution.
Source: Sigmalive
