Nicosia, Cyprus. A Bangladeshi food delivery rider working in Nicosia is due to appear before a military court in the north after inadvertently crossing the divide while trying to deliver an order, his employer said.
Crossing and detention
Hasan Kibria, a motorcycle courier employed by Foody, crossed into the north on Thursday, January 29, after being misdirected by GPS while searching for an address in Nicosia. Kibria, who does not speak English and arrived in Cyprus in December last year, is believed to have been unaware that Nicosia is a divided city.
According to information received by the Cyprus Mail, Kibria passed through the Ayios Dhometios crossing from the south and was later stopped at the Kermia checkpoint after attempting to proceed further without completing the required procedures. Unable to explain his situation, he was detained.
Court hearing expected
Kibria has since spent around 10 days in detention and is expected to face a military court hearing on Thursday.
Employer response
His employer, Andreas Kyriakides, told the Cyprus Mail on Monday that the company only became aware of the situation after the courier disappeared along with his motorcycle.
“Hasan is new to Cyprus and does not speak English,” Kyriakides said. “We believe the GPS directed him the wrong way. I honestly have no idea how this could have happened otherwise.”
Kyriakides said Foody initially contacted the authorities after losing contact with the rider but received no clear information.
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