Footballer Charles Eloundou released from Limnes detention centre

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cameroonian footballer Charles Eloundou has been released from the Limnes Pre-Removal Migrant Detention Centre, where he had been held pending deportation over the absence of a valid residence permit.

Residence permit renewal

The 31-year-old midfielder, who has played for Anorthosis, Nea Salamina and Ethnikos Achna, had applied to renew his residence permit eight months ago, according to Pan-Cyprian Footballers’ Association executive president Spyros Neofytidis.

Eloundou, who is married to a French national, became involved in a lengthy bureaucratic process, Neofytidis said.

Criminal case witness

Eloundou is a key prosecution witness in a criminal case, giving his detention added significance.

Police had arrested him after finding that he did not hold a valid residence permit. Police said the case would be handled with the background of his permit renewal application in mind.

Release approved

The Pan-Cyprian Footballers’ Association requested Eloundou’s release while the permit renewal process is completed. The request was approved, and Neofytidis collected the footballer from the Limnes centre shortly after 4pm.

Neofytidis thanked Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum Nicholas A. Ioannides and Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis, saying his written representations on Eloundou’s case had been considered sensitively.