Government to probe mistreatment claim over Sri Lankan’s death

 

THE GOVERNMENT has appointed an investigator to ascertain whether the death of a Sri Lankan man at Larnaca airport last month was the result of inhuman treatment from Immigration Service officers.
Mahalil Silva, 35, died from brain haemorrhage while in police custody at Larnaca airport.

Silva, who arrived from Dubai on July 6, was denied entry by immigration officials because he could not tell them where he was going to stay on the island.

A flight had been found for Silva to return home on July 13 and until then he was staying in the departure lounge of Larnaca airport, in one of two purpose-built rooms.

On July 11 at 8pm Silva suffered a stroke and was rushed to Larnaca hospital. He was later transferred to the Nicosia hospital due to the severity of his condition.

On the same day, Silva returned to Larnaca where doctors diagnosed an internal brain haemorrhage saying he should be kept in hospital for at least 10 days.

But Silva died in hospital on July 17 at 10pm.

The Immigrant Support Action Group has accused the Immigration Service of ignoring Silva’s complaints of chest pains, and said he was kept on a chair for days without freedom of movement.

Yesterday, it was announced that the cabinet had appointed former senior police officer Stavros Georgiades to investigate possible criminal liability in the case.

The Immigration Department has categorically denied accusations of racism and claims it mistreated the man in any way.

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