Katina Baird moved to Cyprus from Guyana in 2019 with her British husband. They bought a house and began building their life together, but due to her husband’s violent behaviour, Katina decided to divorce and forge her own path.
On 3 March 2023, she created “Katina’s Tasty Food”, the only restaurant serving Caribbean cuisine in Cyprus. However, on 25 June 2025, everything was turned upside down when a routine inspection by VAT and Social Insurance authorities escalated into a violent arrest.
Authorities ignored the fact that her residency case remained pending due to her divorce. She was transferred from Larnaca to Oroklini, then to Paphos and finally to Menoyia detention centre for deportation.
She alleges inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour by police officers and demands to live with dignity.
The Larnaca community remains deeply disturbed, knowing that Katina was one of their own. She paid taxes, participated in local events, and constantly thanked the neighbourhood where she established her restaurant.
Is this the state’s concern – one that should have mobilised to prevent the unfortunate Katina from spending even one night in a cell? Is this the rule of law?
Are those who abuse their power and take it out on the vulnerable not ashamed, under the illusion that they are “solving” the immigration issue?
ΑΛ.ΜΙΧ.
