Once the master plan and the studies for the new correctional facility are completed, final decisions will be made regarding the site where it will be built, said Minister of Justice and Public Order Kostas Fytiris on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with staff from the Ministry, the Police, the Prison Service, and the Fire Department, and when asked about the construction of a new correctional facility in Agios Sozomenos, the Minister said there were three options under consideration, with Mathiatis being the top priority. “Due to the very high financial cost—since there is absolutely no infrastructure there—we have set Mathiatis aside and are considering Agios Sozomenos,” he said.
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He noted that the studies, with the assistance of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, will determine whether this is the final solution. “I have committed to the affected municipalities that as soon as we have the master plan, I will present it to them; they will share their views with us and tell us what they would like to see changed,” he said.
When asked if there is another plan, he answered in the affirmative, noting, however, that it is very difficult. “For now, we’re focusing on weighing the pros and cons and making the final decision after the master plan and the studies are completed,” he said, adding that he has provided a timeline. “The correctional facility will not be completed next year. The goal is to have bulldozers on site before the end of 2027,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Public Service Commission announced today that, as part of the process to fill the vacant permanent position of Prison Director — as published in the Official Gazette of the Republic dated January 30, 2026, notification no. 262—it has decided to offer the appointment, in accordance with the terms and conditions to be set forth in the letter of appointment to be sent to him, effective November 2, 2026, to Georgios Ioannou (Application No. 3931444).
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“Follow the money”
In his remarks today, the Minister of Justice also referred to the forfeiture of assets in cases of crime, noting that it is a “extremely powerful tool,” because “follow the money” is the method that can uncover the true culprits, “since the masterminds are always hiding.” “Tracing the flow of money and confiscating, without a conviction, assets that cannot be justified is a tremendous weapon,” he said, also referring to surveillance. “I want to believe that Parliament will view this positively and that we will finally find the right balance to pass this bill as well, which is very important for combating organized crime and, above all, the leaders of organized crime,” he said.
When asked about the purpose of today’s meeting with Ministry staff, Mr. Fytiris said he considered it appropriate to bring all staff together twice a year “so that we know what the Ministry’s goals are.”
As he noted, the Ministry comprises three departments: the Department of Prisons, the Police, and the Fire Department. “All staff must be aware of the goals we have for these services. The Ministry exists to support these services so they can do their jobs. These are frontline services, and the Ministry’s mission is to support them by expediting operations and responding in the shortest possible time, so that frontline personnel can fulfill their mission.”
READ ALSO: Manhunt for the perpetrator of the bloody attack in Limassol; police investigating attempted murder | AlphaNews
