Nicosia, Cyprus. Romani Youssef is being held at a detention centre pending deportation to Egypt after his arrest as a prohibited immigrant two months ago, while his Cypriot fiancée Anthi Giatrou is six months pregnant with their child.
Youssef arrived in Cyprus in 2015 and applied for asylum, but his application was definitively rejected in November 2024 after he exhausted the appeals process.
Asylum application and detention
Youssef said he remained in Cyprus illegally after the rejection of his asylum application because he could not return to Egypt.
“I’m not asking to be special in Cyprus,” he told the Cyprus Mail. “All I ask is a chance to fix my life.”
Following the rejection of his application, he can legally be deported, although it is unclear when the deportation order will be enforced.
Family circumstances
Giatrou is living in a small flat without employment, a support network or air conditioning. She confirmed that Youssef is the father of her child and said their relationship and engagement were genuine.
“It was our decision,” she told the Cyprus Mail. “We both wanted it – and the baby, too.”
The authorities may, at their discretion, allow Youssef to remain in Cyprus on humanitarian grounds as the father of a Cypriot child.
Pregnancy support
Giatrou experienced dizziness and vaginal bleeding earlier in her pregnancy and said she is frequently tired and requires support.
Youssef was arrested while attempting to pay her mobile phone bill because she was unable to do so herself.