**Akel Accuses Government of Bypassing Local Authorities Over Prison Site Decision**
The political party Akel has raised concerns regarding the Cypriot government's decision to establish the new central prisons in Ayios Sozomenos, calling for a more thorough consultation process with local authorities. In a statement released on Friday, Akel emphasized the importance of conducting proper studies before finalizing the location for such a significant project.
Akel has consistently supported the need for modern and upgraded prison facilities in Cyprus. However, the party criticized the government's approach in selecting the Ayios Sozomenos site, arguing that the Justice Ministry should not make unilateral decisions without engaging with local communities. "The ministry cannot decide on the location of such a large project without studies and without any consultation with the local authorities," the statement read.
The party highlighted the shifting nature of the project's location as indicative of a disorganized decision-making process. Initially, the government had proposed Mathiatis as the site for the new prisons, but this plan was later changed to Ayios Sozomenos. Akel warned that the location could potentially change again, further complicating the planning process.
In their statement, Akel underscored the importance of local governance, particularly in light of ongoing reforms that the central government should actively support rather than undermine. The party called on Justice Minister Costas Fitiris and the government to reconsider their decision, insisting that any future choices be made only after comprehensive studies and consultations with affected communities.
The criticism from Akel follows a joint statement issued by the municipalities of Dali and Latsia-Yeri on Thursday. These municipalities expressed their discontent with the decision to locate the prisons in Ayios Sozomenos, demanding an immediate reversal of the site selection. They pointed out that the area is already home to significant industrial and agricultural activity, including facilities for livestock waste treatment, quarries, and pig farms. Additionally, an overhead power line from the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) runs through the region.
Local authorities also noted that Ayios Sozomenos is located within land designated for livestock farming under a national sector rebuilding plan, a critical factor that must be considered when evaluating the site's suitability for a prison facility.
The Justice Ministry announced on Tuesday that it had abandoned plans for the Mathiatis site in favor of Ayios Sozomenos, citing cost and time efficiencies. The ministry argued that the Ayios Sozomenos site benefits from existing infrastructure, including roads, sewage, water, and electricity, making it a more viable option for the new prison.
Originally, Fitiris had announced the Mathiatis site in March, with plans to begin construction next year and complete the €300 million facility within five years. This proposal, however, faced opposition from a local heritage protection group in Mathiatis, which raised concerns about environmental and cultural impacts. The village mukhtar, Theodoros Tsatsou, also criticized the government for not adequately informing residents about the plans.
Ayios Sozomenos, the newly proposed site, is a village that has been largely abandoned since the intercommunal violence of the 1970s. The area is notable for its historical significance, featuring a Byzantine cave chapel, the unfinished Latin church of Saint Mamas, and remnants of the mud brick homes left by its former Turkish Cypriot inhabitants.
As the debate surrounding the prison site continues, the government faces pressure from both political parties and local municipalities to ensure that future decisions are made transparently and collaboratively, taking into account the needs and concerns of the communities affected by such significant developments.