A 32-year-old man is wanted by police after he assaulted two officers who were transporting him to a detention facility following his arrest for illegal stay in the Republic, police said early on Wednesday.

After the attack, the policemen were transferred to the hospital.

According to the police announcement, the man presented himself to the Ayios Dometios police station in Nicosia around 6pm on Tuesday to give a statement in connection with a drug case under investigation in Larnaca.

However, during checks to verify the man’s details, officers found that he had been staying illegally in the country since September 2021 when his residence permit expired.

Police arrested him and about two hours later were transporting him to a detention facility in the same area via car.

The 32-year-old allegedly attacked the officer sitting with him in the back seat, then assaulted the driver, opened the passenger door and fled.

The two officers were transferred to a hospital where they remain for further treatment.

Police said they will apply for an arrest warrant to be issued against him for assaulting officers and escaping police detention.

They have also issued a photo of the man and are asking anyone with any information to come forward.