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Arrested in Cyprus — Get Urgent Legal Help Now
If you or your client has been arrested at a Cyprus airport or on an extradition warrant, call us immediately. We provide emergency representation at first hearings and bail applications.
Arrest in Cyprus on an extradition-related matter requires immediate legal action. Whether you have been detained at Larnaca or Paphos airport, arrested at a police station, or received notice that an international warrant has been issued in your name, the first hours and days are critical. Cyprus courts move quickly in extradition cases, and the absence of experienced legal representation at the first hearing can have lasting consequences.
What Happens After Arrest in Cyprus
If you are arrested in Cyprus on an extradition-related matter, the following sequence typically applies:
- Arrest and custody — you will be taken to a police station and formally detained
- Notification — you have the right to notify a lawyer and, if you are a foreign national, your consulate or embassy
- First court appearance — typically within 24 hours, the court will review the lawfulness of detention and consider bail
- Extradition hearing — the court will fix a date to hear the extradition request and examine any legal challenges
- Decision — under EAW framework, within 60 days; under Cap. 137, no fixed deadline
Airport Detention at Larnaca or Paphos
Larnaca International Airport is the principal point of international arrival in Cyprus and the most common location for extradition-related arrests. Paphos Airport is also an active entry point. If a person is stopped at airport passport control on an Interpol alert or international arrest warrant, airport detention can precede formal extradition proceedings.
We provide urgent representation for clients detained at Cyprus airports. The first step is ensuring you are treated in accordance with your legal rights and that no waiver of rights occurs during the initial police interview.
Your Rights When Arrested in Cyprus
- The right to be informed of the reason for your arrest in a language you understand
- The right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself
- The right to consult a lawyer before any police interview
- The right to notify your consulate or embassy (for foreign nationals)
- The right to an interpreter if you do not speak Greek or English
- The right to apply for bail at the earliest court hearing
Why Immediate Legal Representation Matters
The first court hearing in Cyprus extradition cases is not merely procedural. Bail applications are heard at this stage, and the court’s initial assessment of the case can shape subsequent proceedings. If the person in custody does not have specialist extradition counsel present, opportunities to challenge the warrant’s validity or secure bail may be lost. We are available to attend emergency hearings with minimal notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Bail is available in extradition cases in Cyprus and is considered at the first court appearance. The court weighs the risk of flight, the seriousness of the alleged offence, ties to Cyprus, and the availability of suitable bail conditions such as a passport surrender, surety, and reporting requirements. Specialist legal representation at the bail hearing is essential.
You have a legal right to an interpreter. The court must ensure you understand the proceedings in your own language. Our office is able to advise clients in Russian and can coordinate interpretation for other languages through qualified court interpreters.
In certain circumstances, the lawfulness of the initial detention can be challenged at the first hearing, particularly where the warrant is defective on its face or where the arrest was not carried out in accordance with Cyprus procedural law. This requires careful assessment of the documentation and swift legal action.