Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Cyprus

I am an Indian citizen working for a American MNC in Cyprus[govt. controlled area- part of EU]. Last week two immigration police officers forcefully entrered into my appartment without any search warrant.

They asked me "where am I working" without even telling their name or showing me their ID. I told them I am working for an American MNC. One police officer showed me the handcuffs and threatened me by saying "If you are speaking truth I am not going to put you this; do not afraid, I am the immigration police offer" I asked them "Sir is there any problem? if so, I can call my company"..Immidiately he replied "No need to call, show me your passport". I showed him my passport and he called someone [probably immigration office] and told my passport number to the other person on the phone. Later he told me "how much salary you earn"? and he said "you are staying in a very good appartment.

I want to sue those two officers who breached my civil rights, entered into my appartment without even a search warrant and also defamed me infornt of my friend. I still feel the mental trauma.I also felt that they descriminated me because of my nationality.They would not have dared to entered into a Cypriot house and treat a Cypriot like they treated me.

I want to get some legal advice, know my civil rights and want to know how I can sue them in the court of law?


Asked on 4/15/13, 12:29 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Α.Α. Antoniou Anastasios Antoniou LLC

Sir,

Thank you for your email.

You are indeed correct that the police appears to have breached your privacy and potentially other fundamental rights guaranteed under the Cypriot Constitution and the European Convention of Human Rights. A search warrant is indeed required for such raids, unless they can establish other grounds on which they suspected you for any matter, which we can see is not the case from the contents of your kind message.

You could be able to sue them in Court in the context of civil proceedings for damages, while we can also submit a disciplinary complaint to the independent Police Complaints Commission.

Please do feel free to contact us at [email protected] to enable us to liaise with you and take this matter forward.

Best Regards,

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Answered on 4/15/13, 11:39 pm


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