The Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kostas Fytiris, on Wednesday before the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, which met in its new composition. The Minister emphasized that the main priorities are those related to establishing tools to combat organized crime, noting the need to move forward with the debate on the bill regarding surveillance, which had been left pending from the previous parliamentary session.
In the same context, as he stated in remarks to reporters following the Committee meeting, key measures for combating organized crime include revising the Constitution and amending Article 17, as well as the passage of the harmonization bill allowing for the forfeiture of assets in cases where the origin of such assets cannot be justified. This bill, as he stated during the session, has already been approved by the Council of Ministers and is expected to be submitted to Parliament next.
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Mr. Fytiris noted that a total of 38 bills are pending in various packages, while another 10 bills are expected to be submitted by the Ministry of Justice to the Legal Affairs Committee. “We will resume the discussion process to find a middle ground, so that both the House’s requirements and the operational needs of the police and the service are met,” the Minister stated after the Committee meeting.
Furthermore, in her remarks, the Committee Chair and DISY MP, Fotini Tsiridou, also highlighted as priorities the bills related to the fight against organized crime. She noted that the Minister was asked to present to the Committee the revised text of the bill on surveillance, as well as the bill on reforming the correctional system.
He also referred to the bill on asset forfeiture, stating that it follows an EU regulation setting a deadline of 2027 for member states to harmonize their laws, but noted that Cypriot legislation could adopt it sooner. She added that it is an important tool for combating organized crime.
Responding to a question about the agenda for the Commission’s next meeting, Ms. Tsiridou stated that discussions will begin on the enforcement of court decisions, as well as a discussion of proposals for additional powers for the Anti-Corruption Authority, and the ex officio matter of imposing fines through the automated enforcement system at ports, airports, and crossing points in the areas of Cyprus not controlled by the Republic.
“We will see if the issuance of fines is covered by the law,” said the Minister
Citizens’ complaints regarding the issuance of fines by the automated traffic enforcement system at ports, airports, and border crossings were raised during the session with the Minister by AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtides, as well as by DIKO MP Panikos Leonidou, and by the MP for the Alma Movement, Michalis Paraskevas, who raised questions regarding the legality of this procedure.
The Minister, both during the session and in statements made immediately afterward, emphasized that all police actions must be covered by law. He also noted that if the service procedure in question is not provided for by law, then it should not be applied.
He expressed the view that the option for service of process should exist and should be available everywhere within Cypriot territory. “Extrajudicial notices, based on the law as well as a legal opinion we have, can be served at any location,” he said. “A question was raised regarding photo enforcement, which we will examine to determine whether it is covered by the law or not,” he added, clarifying that “if it is not covered, we will introduce an amendment so that the police can serve out-of-court notices to everyone when they find them. That is the law.”
Furthermore, during the session, he noted that there is a serious problem with the service and payment of fines from the automated traffic enforcement system, which, according to the latest information he had, amount to 360,000.
The Minister estimates that the juvenile detention center project will not be completed by 2026
The Minister expressed concern about the project currently underway in Menogia to create facilities suitable for juvenile detention centers, in accordance with the provisions of the law regarding juveniles in conflict with the law. As he stated during the session, there is a risk that the project will not be completed by December 2026, a fact that drew a reaction from Members of Parliament, as this deadline has already been extended.
Mr. Fytiris noted that the Ministry of Public Works has proposed decentralizing the procedures handled by the Department of Public Works, with the aim of expediting the project’s completion. He also noted that it is important for the Ministry that the Center in Menogia be delivered, as the Central Prison remains severely overcrowded, and there are plans to set aside a section of this Center to transfer the approximately 80 women currently held at the Central Prison.
When asked about the plans to construct a new prison building, the Minister noted that it is a large and costly project, but added that the goal is “to have bulldozers on site before the end of 2027.” He also said that a plan will be presented to the community of Mathiatis, which is located in an area adjacent to the selected site.
Next up: the study on police reorganization
A response to “piecemeal solutions,” such as those regarding the work schedules of police officers, according to the Minister, will be addressed by a comprehensive study on the reorganization of the police force. In light of the upheaval that arose shortly before the House of Representatives adjourned ahead of last May’s elections, MPs from DISY, AKEL, and ELAM raised with the Minister the need to address the issue and engage in dialogue with employees before any such decisions are made.
Mr. Fytiris said that the controversy arose due to the discrepancy between the 40-hour workweek that police officers previously had, and the 37.5-hour workweek currently in effect. He emphasized that piecemeal solutions would not be implemented and that the issue would be addressed comprehensively, through a comprehensive study of the force’s needs, while also taking into account the rights of police officers.
The goal of the police reorganization, as the Minister stated after the meeting, will be to enable the force to meet modern demands. He added that the study also addresses issues related to equipment, training, and the organization of police stations and departments.
In this context, responding during the session to a question from DISY MP Nikos Georgiou, he said that approximately 300–500 body cameras would be purchased on a pilot basis for police officers within the year, using funds set aside in the budget. After the session, he told reporters that the 2027 budget includes funding to purchase body cameras for the remaining officers as well, who number approximately 1,500 in total.
Responding to a reporter’s question about the operation of the special police unit tasked with combating organized crime, he said that it is ready in every respect, except for the building that will house it, and noted that it will be fully operational within the next few months.
Furthermore, in response to a question from ELAM regarding a possible early retirement plan for police officers, Mr. Fytiris expressed a positive view, stating that, due to the nature of their duties, it is not always appropriate for members of the police force to reach the standard retirement age.
He also addressed the issue of police insurance, stating that a practice similar to that implemented by the Ministry of Defense will be adopted. He explained that the state will also cover accidents that police officers may suffer while on duty and noted that this will be more cost-effective than entering into a contract with an insurance company.
Statements by Members of Parliament
The Committee Chair and DISY Member of Parliament, Fotini Tsiridou, in remarks made after the session, referred to a series of bills that will be considered by the Committee. Regarding family law, she said that a clause-by-clause review of the reform bills will begin, with the aim of improving the framework within which family disputes are heard and resolved in court. He noted that another important bill is the one submitted regarding measures for the enforcement of court decisions, adding that this is being called for not only by the legal community but also by the public.
He also highlighted as important the tools for combating organized crime, such as the bill on surveillance. He also mentioned that a revised draft is expected regarding the reform of the correctional system and prisons, stating that “it should not be a piecemeal reform, but rather a broader framework that fundamentally reforms prisons and the correctional system.” He also noted that the goal is for the Committee to visit the prisons sometime this summer.
He also said that the draft bills on arbitration had been requested, noting that “it is very important that we not rely solely on the courts—which are already burdened with many thousands of cases—to adjudicate and resolve disputes.”
“We also consider the bill that was before us—and is currently undergoing legal review—to be extremely important,regarding social media and all the offenses we see being committed online—and unfortunately, there is still no specific, modernized legal framework in Cyprus, as there is in other European countries,”, he concluded.
AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtides expressed in his remarks his intention to contribute to the constructive functioning of the Committee, but also to highlight any distortions where they exist. He also noted that problems and mistakes continue to exist, pointing out that with the fourth extension for the juvenile detention center project—if it is not ready by the end of 2026— the state will be in violation of the law.
He also raised the issue of the powers of the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General. “The separation of powers and the oversight of decisions must be a priority,” he said.
Regarding police labor issues, he said, “The labor regulations governing police officers cannot be changed without at least prior consultation with them.”
As for the issuance of fines, he expressed the view that this practice violates the law and creates obstacles for citizens who are traveling. “We reiterated to the Minister that, regarding the 360,000 unpaid fines, responsibility lies with those who oversaw legislation that they themselves proposed and passed, not to be enforced, and yet for so many years failed to introduce amending legislation providing for alternative methods of service,” he said.
ELAM MP Sotiris Ioannou, in his remarks, addressed the issue of police shifts and working hours and the disruption this has caused, while welcoming the Ministry’s and the Minister’s support for the voluntary retirement plan, as well as for insurance coverage for frontline police officers while on duty. “We have expressed our intention and willingness to support any effort made to achieve the goals of the Ministry of Justice, based on our party’s long-standing positions,” he concluded.
During the Committee meeting, DIKO MP Panikos Leonidou, while acknowledging the progress made on policing issues, also emphasized the need to revise or even repeal outdated laws. He also spoke about the need for legislative regulation regarding the issuance of fines.
Michalis Paraskevas, a member of parliament for the Alma Movement, stated that they expect the legislative proposals submitted by their party to be debated, “so that the Anti-Corruption Authority can truly have teeth,” as he put it. “Following approval, we hope that Article 13 will finally be amended,” he continued, stating that the issue of the Attorney General’s immunity from scrutiny must be addressed, “so that this distorted situation—which was created by the appointment of Mr. Anastasiades’ former ministers to top positions in the legal service—can finally be rectified,” as he put it. “We must put an end to this impasse,” he concluded.
Direct Democracy MP Diana Konstantinidi, during her remarks at the committee meeting, raised the issue of strengthening policing in tourist areas, citing the recent knife attack by an Israeli national in Ayia Napa as a reason.
Source: CNA
