DISY party proposes amendment to mandate judicial warrants for telecommunications surveillance

The Democratic Rally (DISY) party has introduced an amendment to a pending bill regarding the 23rd amendment to the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus. The proposal, initiated by MP Nikos Tornaritis, aims to remove a provision that would have allowed the Cyprus Intelligence Service (KYP) to initiate telecommunications surveillance without a court order during emergencies. Under the new proposal, all surveillance by either the police or the KYP must be authorized by a court order. This move follows internal and external criticism, as well as concerns that the original bill lacked sufficient support to reach the required 38 votes for a constitutional change. The Legal Committee has scheduled an emergency meeting for next Thursday to discuss the amendment. If the other parliamentary parties agree, the change will be incorporated into the final text. The final bill is expected to be presented for a vote at the Plenary session of the House of Representatives on the same day.