Illegal immigrant asks police for job

AN ILLEGAL immigrant walked into a police station last Sunday and asked the duty officer for a job, despite having already been deported for illegal entry last year, a Nicosia court heard yesterday.

Vahdettin Ozlu, a compact and smiling 20-year-old Kurd, who has lived in Turkey his entire life, was charged with four counts of entering the island illegally; he has pleaded guilty to all charges.

According to the state prosecutor, the man had already once entered the island via the Turkish occupied areas on May 21, 2005, being deported a couple of months later. But that did little to dampen Ozlu’s enthusiasm, and he returned to the island through Kyrenia on March 24 this year.

“The accused entered the free areas of the island on April 9 this year through one of the checkpoints and went straight to Paphos Gate Police Station, asking one of the constables on duty if they would like to hire him as a waiter,” the prosecutor said.

“Excuse me,” replied the stunned judge “did you say Paphos Gate Police Station?”
“That’s what happened,” responded the laughing prosecutor.

The court went on to hear how Ozlu was arrested within an hour after the officer ran a check on his name. The 20-year-old told arresting officers that he came to Cyprus to work as a waiter because he was so poor.

Passing sentence, Judge Nicos Yiapanas said: “The problem of illegal immigrants is a growing problem on the island. The offences are serious particularly because it is the second time that he has been caught illegally on the island.

“The court also takes into account the fact that the accused comes from a poor family in Turkey and his young age.”

Judge Yiapanas sentenced Ozlu to two months’ imprisonment from the day that he was taken into remand.

Seemingly unfazed by the sentencing, Ozlu asked the judge: “What will happen to me after I am released?”

“That is up to the state,” replied the judge.

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