Two attempted femicides within a few days have shocked Cypriot society. In Nicosia, a man from Syros stabbed his wife and mother-in-law, and in Zakaki, a police officer shot his 46-year-old wife in the middle of the street with his service weapon before taking his own life.

According to data from SPAVO, from 1966 to the present, an average of three femicides have been committed in Cyprus each year.

From 2020 to 2025, 17 femicides were committed: 5 in 2020, 5 in 2021, 2 in 2022, 1 in 2023, 1 in 2024, and 3 in 2025. Six in Nicosia, one in Larnaca, six in Limassol, and four in Paphos.

“The greatest risk of femicide occurs when a woman attempts to leave the relationship, when she communicates her intentions to separate, or immediately after the separation. A significant percentage of femicides are committed within the first few months or the first year after the relationship ends,”
Andri Andronikou – Scientific Director of SPAVO

At the same time, the number of complaints filed with the Police Sub-Directorate for the Management of Cases Involving Vulnerable Persons is shocking.

In 2025 alone, 3,782 reports of domestic violence were filed. 1,090 in Nicosia, 1,006 in Larnaca, 760 in Limassol, 339 in Paphos, and 587 in Famagusta.

“The road ahead requires us to take significant steps to prevent femicides. For example, the adoption of a national risk assessment protocol for all relevant agencies, and the creation of a supervisory authority and a system to monitor the enforcement of court orders.”
Andri Andronikou

Every month, 110 calls regarding domestic violence are recorded on the national helpline. Every day, 4 families report that they are in danger.

In 2025 alone, 300 women and 347 children were housed in SPAVO shelters. Twenty-seven women called the police for help via the Elpis app by pressing the red button on their cell phones.

Since July 2025, when the helpline for victims of domestic violence went live, 457 women have installed it on their cell phones.

Chapter: Gun Ownership

The attempted femicide in Limassol, committed by a police officer, has reignited the debate on gun ownership and highlighted gaps in the mental health screening of police officers who carry service weapons.

“The renewal of service weapon permits should take place every three years instead of five, and should be accompanied by a psychological evaluation—a procedure that is not currently required.”
Nikos Loizidis – President of the Police Force ISOTITA

Cyprus ranks fifth worldwide in terms of the ratio of firearm owners, with 34.7 firearms per 100 residents. However, progress has been made in recent years. Over the past five years, 900 firearm permits have been revoked and weapons confiscated from individuals deemed a danger to their families and public safety.

A total of 800 hunting rifles and 100 military rifles belonging to reservists were confiscated.

600 revocations were ordered following reports of domestic violence, 200 following convictions for serious criminal offenses, and 100 following hospitalizations in mental health facilities.

The surge in gender-based violence and the evaluation of prevention mechanisms will be the focus of an emergency review tomorrow by the Parliament’s Human Rights Committee, in the presence of the Minister of Justice, the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, and the Chief of Police.

Watch the report by Christoforos Nestoros: