Justice Minister unveils five-pillar plan to combat organized crime in Cyprus

Justice Minister Costas Fytiris announced a comprehensive five-pillar strategy to tackle organized crime, corruption, and extortion. The plan includes the establishment of a 'Cypriot FBI,' with a headquarters expected to be secured by March, and the creation of an independent coast guard. A new correctional facility will be built outside urban areas within the next five years, featuring a capacity for 1,250 inmates across closed, semi-open, and open units. Legislation has already been approved to facilitate the confiscation of unexplained criminal assets, while the Fire Service will be modernized with drones for wildfire management. Fytiris emphasized that law enforcement requires solid evidence and written testimonies to make arrests, noting that social media allegations alone are insufficient. The minister also confirmed that authorities are currently evaluating specific claims regarding organized crime made by Ioanna Fotiou, known as Anni Alexoui. The reform aims to modernize police infrastructure and legal frameworks to effectively counter the technological advancements used by criminal networks.