Justice Minister addresses prison overcrowding and recent criminal incidents in Cyprus

Cyprus Minister of Justice Costas Fytiris has acknowledged a critical overcrowding problem in the country’s prisons and police detention centers. This statement follows a series of recent incidents, including a fire at the Limassol police detention facility and an assault on a public prosecutor at the Limassol district court. Initial investigations suggest the detention center fire was started by an inmate. The Minister noted that police deal with five to ten arrests nearly every day, straining current facilities. Fytiris stated that official investigations have been launched into both the assault and the fire. Furthermore, he emphasized the need for enhanced security measures to protect judicial staff. In the same briefing, the Minister addressed public safety concerns and ongoing police operations against illegal pre-Easter bonfire materials, noting the removal of 15 truckloads of flammable items in a single day. He warned that police will arrest individuals, including minors, for such activities and urged parents to exercise responsibility.