NEW YORK – Musician Renos Efthymiou was released from Seneca County Jail (Detroit Field Office) in Ohio on April 4, on $7,500 bail. He had been held there since February 23. The decision was made on April 3 by the Ohio Immigration Court, after the lawyer, who was hired by the Pancyprian Association President Philip Christopher, submitted the bail and began the process of freeing the Cypriot musician.
Pancyprian and PSEKA President Philip Christopher, immediately after the Court’s ruling sent an email to the members of Pancyprian and all those who contributed to the Save Renos Fund, announcing the aforementioned judgment of the Court.
He noted that they “began the bail payment process” and that “Renos will return by bus to New York to celebrate the Resurrection and Easter with his friends.”
Referring to the fundraiser, he pointed out that the needed $12,000 was raised for the bail, the fees, and the lawyers’ fees.
“When the community is united, it can achieve any goal,” Christopher’s email concluded.
Christopher told The National Herald that he was satisfied with this positive development. He noted that the case is not over yet and that Pancyprian would always be on Renos’ side. At the same time, he expressed gratitude to those who participated in the fundraising event for the Renos which took place on March 12 at Dionysos Restaurant in Astoria.
Renos Efthymiou, as TNH reported on March 8, was arrested on February 23 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) because his student visa had expired. Since then, he spent 40 whole days in Seneca County Jail Detention Center (Detroit Field Office) in Ohio.
He had arrived in New York at the end of 2015 with a student visa and contributed his talents to the Pancyprian Choir, the Kyrenia Opera, the Pancyprian Theater and many charity events in the Greek community.
He was arrested on February 23 when he was returning by bus from Chicago to New York. ICE agents looking for another individual on that bus found that Renos had overstayed his visa, and he was arrested.
Christopher during the fundraiser had stated that although they know that Renos’ situation is difficult and complicated, they will continue the struggle to start the visa renewal process and that Pancyprian will pay his tuition fees so he can continue studying and realize his dreams.
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