Nicosia, Cyprus. The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the immediate release of an Iranian national detained for deportation, ruling his continued detention had exceeded a “reasonable time” and was no longer justified due to no realistic prospect of removal.
Background and asylum case
According to the judgment, the applicant entered the republic through the north in 2002 and later applied for asylum, claiming he faced danger in Iran. His asylum application was rejected in 2004, after which authorities repeatedly issued detention and deportation orders over the following years without succeeding in deporting him.
Criminal convictions referenced
The court referred to criminal convictions involving burglary and theft linked to an electrical goods store in 2009, while clarifying that the proceedings concerned the legality of his immigration detention rather than past criminal offences.
Previous challenge and renewed detention
The applicant previously challenged his detention through an application in 2025 and was released after the court concluded at the time that “his continued detention is not justified.” He was arrested again in January for illegal residence and detained under new deportation procedures.
Court findings on prospects of deportation
In the latest proceedings, the applicant argued there was “no prospect of his deportation” and that authorities had failed to demonstrate due diligence in attempting to remove him from Cyprus. The court accepted that argument, stating the authorities had not explained what concrete steps were being taken to secure deportation despite the applicant having remained in the republic for more than two decades.
“Indeed, today both sides stated that although the applicant has been in Cyprus for 24 years, he does not have a passport or travel documents,” the judgment said.
State position
The state argued that the applicant’s refusal to cooperate with repatriation efforts justified continued detention.
What measures do you think authorities should take to ensure deportation detention does not exceed a reasonable time?
