Man accused of smuggling immigrants from the north

A PAKISTANI man was yesterday remanded in custody for eight days on suspicion of smuggling illegal immigrants from the occupied areas.

Two other suspects, also from Pakistan, were detained for four days in connection with illegal entry and residence in the country.

The court heard that one of the latter told police that he had arrived on the island on July 7, 2004 through the occupied areas.

He said he paid the first suspect $8,000 to pick him up and bring him to the government-controlled areas.

Upon his arrival, the first suspect asked for an additional $2,000 and then took him to a flat in occupied Nicosia until three unknown individuals – two men and a woman – dropped him off outside the Hilton hotel.

He was picked up by Murat Ali Shah, an associate of the first suspect, who put him up in his house for a month.

The man was then made to pay Shah $1,000 in order to help him stay on the island.
But when he got the money, Shah disappeared, the court heard.

An arrest warrant has been issued for him, police said.

The same story was told to police by the third suspect with the difference that he had been abandoned in a park in Nicosia after being brought from the north.

The first suspect was arrested on Thursday but denied any involvement in the case, police said.

Apart from Shah, police was seeking for three men who helped the foreigners come to the government-controlled areas.

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