**Municipalities Demand Reversal of Prison Site Decision for Ayios Sozomenos**
In a recent joint statement, the municipalities of Dali and Latsia-Yeri, located in Nicosia, have called for the immediate revocation of the government's decision to establish the new central prisons in Ayios Sozomenos. The municipalities argue that the site was selected without sufficient consultation with local authorities and communities.
While acknowledging the necessity for modern infrastructure, the municipalities emphasized that a project of this magnitude should only proceed after a "comprehensive and scientifically documented study." They expressed concerns about the implications of placing a prison in an area already burdened with various industrial and agricultural activities. These include livestock waste treatment facilities, quarries, and pig farms, as well as the presence of an EAC overhead power line traversing the region.
The municipalities highlighted that Ayios Sozomenos is designated for livestock farming under a national plan aimed at revitalizing the agricultural sector. They believe that this factor is critical in evaluating the appropriateness of the site for a prison facility. Representing a combined population of approximately 60,000 residents, Dali and Latsia-Yeri asserted that local authorities should not be excluded from decisions that carry significant consequences for the wider community.
The call for a reconsideration of the site comes in the wake of the Justice Ministry's announcement earlier this week, which indicated a shift from plans to build the prison in Mathiatis to Ayios Sozomenos. The ministry cited "cost and time criteria" as the basis for this decision, explaining that the Mathiatis site would have required extensive new infrastructure, including roads, sewage systems, and utilities. In contrast, Ayios Sozomenos is said to have existing access to these essential services, thereby reducing both the cost and duration of construction.
Justice Minister Costas Fitiris had initially proposed Mathiatis as the site for the new prison in March. He noted its proximity to the capital and its designation as state land. The projected construction was expected to begin next year, with an anticipated completion timeline of five years for a facility designed to accommodate 1,500 inmates, at an estimated cost of €300 million.
However, the Mathiatis proposal faced opposition from a local heritage protection group, which raised concerns about the environmental sensitivity and cultural significance of the area. Community leader Theodoros Tsatsou had previously criticized the plan, arguing that residents had not been adequately informed about the developments. He also pointed to existing pressures on Mathiatis from two nearby army camps and land issues related to Turkish Cypriot deeds.
Ayios Sozomenos itself is an abandoned village that has historical significance, situated near the Green Line. The village is home to a Byzantine cave chapel, the unfinished Latin church of Saint Mamas, and remnants of mud brick structures left by its former Turkish Cypriot residents.
In light of these developments, the Dali and Latsia-Yeri municipalities are urging the government to halt any further actions regarding the prison site until proper consultations with local authorities and affected communities can take place. They are also advocating for the exploration of alternative locations for the new central prisons, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in such impactful decisions.