A 56-year-old Greek Cypriot has applied for asylum in the occupied north, Turkish Cypriot sources reported yesterday.
According to the reports, Themistocles Georgiou requested asylum because he could not find work in the government-controlled areas.
Georgiou also said he had health problems and no income.
He had been asking for help from the government who provided assistance for one-and-a-half years and was now asking him to return £43,000, the reports said.
The man said he lived with his unmarried sister who was suffering with cancer, while his wife was partially blind.
Due to his health problems, Georgiou could not live in the house granted by the government and slept in his car instead, the reports said.
The man allegedly said he had been injured in a construction accident 19 years ago; he suffered from asthma and his medication cost £130 per month.
The reports said Georgiou had been forsaken by his family and his wife was planning to file for divorce because he asked the Turkish Cypriot breakaway state for asylum.
He further said he never fought against the Turkish Cypriots and was willing to be circumcised in order to be allowed to stay in the north.
Georgiou allegedly placed a Turkish Cypriot flag on his car before driving to the ‘foreign ministry’.
Turkish Cypriot authorities said his application would be examined and he would be taken to hospital for treatment if necessary.
Until last night the report had not been confirmed by the authorities.
