Rudolph Angler A 48-year-old Syrian man has been sentenced to three years in prison by a Cyprus court. He was found guilty of causing the death of a three-year-old girl. The court ruled that he failed to ensure the safety of 60 Syrian migrants on an overcrowded boat.
On January 18, 2024, the man set sail with a group of migrants from Lebanon to Cyprus. Unfortunately, the wooden boat was overloaded and lacked navigation or communication equipment. As a result, the engine failed, leaving the boat stranded at sea for a week.
Struggles at Sea
Desperate for water, the passengers had no choice but to drink seawater and urine. This happened after the captain ordered them to throw their water bottles overboard in an attempt to hide the boat’s origin. According to the Attorney-General’s Office, the conditions on board were dire.
Cypriot rescue teams eventually airlifted the three-year-old girl and her mother to a hospital. Sadly, despite the efforts of medical staff, doctors could not save her.
Migration Numbers Drop
In recent years, migration to Cyprus has dropped sharply due to stricter government policies. For instance, migrant arrivals fell from 17,278 in 2022 to just 6,102 in 2024. Similarly, asylum applications also decreased from 21,565 to 6,769.
The impact of the Syrian conflict is clear. For example, 755 Syrians returned home voluntarily. Moreover, many others withdrew their asylum applications. Furthermore, last October, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that Cyprus violated migrants’ rights by forcibly sending some back to Lebanon.