**Title: Former Politicians to Lose Police Protection Under New Rules**
A significant overhaul of police protection for former political figures in Cyprus is set to take effect this month, impacting several notable individuals. Among those affected are former first ladies Elsi Christofias and Androulla Vassiliou, as well as former House presidents Demetris Syllouris and Yiannakis Omirou, whose security details will be reduced.
The new system, prompted by a legal service opinion, shifts the responsibility for determining police protection from the cabinet to the police. This change arises from a review initiated by Justice Minister Fitiris in June, which sought to reassess the security arrangements for political and state officials following the May parliamentary elections. The elections altered the political landscape, raising questions about the necessity of protection for figures from parties that lost representation, as well as for leaders of newly elected parties.
The justice ministry stated that all existing protection arrangements will undergo a thorough reassessment, with risk evaluations conducted every six months or sooner if needed. The ministry emphasized that police protection is a measure based on documented security needs. “Police guarding is a security measure and is provided where an objective risk assessment documents its necessity,” the ministry explained.
Currently, several prominent figures continue to receive police protection, including former president Nicos Anastasiades, who has 12 officers assigned to him, and House speaker Annita Demetriou, who has 10. Other political leaders such as Akel secretary general Stefanos Stefanou and Diko leader Nikolas Papadopoulos are also under protection, with four and three officers, respectively.
Under the previous system, protection for political figures was approved by the cabinet, a practice that had been in place since the 1970s despite the absence of a specific legal framework governing such decisions. The new approach will allow the police security committee to assess the risks faced by each individual and determine the necessary protective measures independently, with findings submitted directly to the justice minister.
As part of the reassessment, some current arrangements have already been modified. For instance, three officers previously assigned to former Edek president Nikos Anastasiou were withdrawn after he resigned and his party failed to secure parliamentary representation in the recent elections. Conversely, the entry of new parties, such as Alma and Direct Democracy, into parliament has resulted in new demands for police protection, with their leaders, Odysseas Michaelides and Fidias Panayiotou, each receiving two officers who will also serve as drivers.
The protection status of Christos Christou, a leader of the Elam party, is also under review following the party's increase in parliamentary representation from four to eight seats. The ministry noted that the reassessment process aims to ensure that police protection is aligned with actual security risks rather than political affiliations or electoral strength.
The new regulations come amid ongoing scrutiny of the protection system, highlighted by a 2023 audit office report that suggested the allocation of police protection often correlated more closely with the electoral strength of political parties than with individual security needs. This has raised concerns about the effectiveness and fairness of the previous system.
As the reassessment unfolds, the justice ministry has reiterated its commitment to adapting protection measures to reflect the estimated level of risk for each individual. Where the need for police guarding is not substantiated, arrangements will be terminated or modified accordingly.
The changes to police protection protocols mark a significant shift in how security is managed for political figures in Cyprus, with the aim of creating a more objective and needs-based approach to public safety. As the new system is implemented, it remains to be seen how these adjustments will impact the security landscape for former officials and the broader political community.