Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ defence ministry responded on Thursday to claims that a 24-year-old Cypriot living in South Africa could not return to Cyprus to visit his seriously ill mother due to his military status. The case was raised in a letter from the hunter’s movement to Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas.
Claims raised by the hunter’s movement
In its letter, the movement said the republic had classified the man as a “deserter”, which it said would expose him to arrest if he travelled to Cyprus.
The movement said the 24-year-old was born in South Africa, where his family operates a business, and spent most of his life there before moving to Cyprus in 2016 to join the Apoel football academy. It said he remained in Cyprus for six years under the academy’s supervision before a serious injury in 2022 ended his football ambitions and led him to return to South Africa.
The group added that his parents relocated back to Cyprus earlier this year due to his mother’s deteriorating health, while the man stayed in South Africa to manage the family business, described as the family’s only source of income.
It also claimed he never received a personal call-up for enlistment and that correspondence declaring him a deserter had been sent to an old address without his knowledge.
Defence ministry response and legal status
The Defence Ministry disputed the account, stating the individual had been properly called up for military service and had initially secured a postponement due to studies and football commitments.
According to Phileleftheros, he later failed to report for enlistment or seek a further suspension after relocating abroad.
Authorities said the 24-year-old has been declared insubordinate rather than a deserter, and that a legal case concerning insubordination is pending against him.
Travel and next steps
The ministry rejected claims that he would face arrest upon arrival in Cyprus, saying he could travel normally through Cypriot airports before addressing his military obligations at a designated conscription office in Paphos.
What steps will the 24-year-old take to resolve his military obligations while seeking to visit his mother in Cyprus?