**New Prison to Be Built in Ayios Sozomenos**
The Cypriot government has officially decided to construct a new central prison in Ayios Sozomenos, abandoning earlier plans for a site in Mathiatis. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Justice on Tuesday, following a meeting led by Minister Costas Fitiris, which included representatives from various government services.
The ministry explained that the decision to relocate the prison project was based on an assessment of cost and time efficiency. The initial site in Mathiatis was deemed less suitable after a thorough technical evaluation revealed that significant infrastructure upgrades would be necessary. These upgrades included the development of a new road network, sewage and water systems, and electricity infrastructure, all of which would have increased both the cost and timeline of the project.
In contrast, the Ayios Sozomenos site is advantageous due to the existing infrastructure in the area, which will facilitate a more economical and timely construction process. The ministry emphasized that the evaluation and selection of the new site would not hinder the preparatory work already in progress regarding the design and financing of the prison.
"The government’s goal is to create a modern prison complex in the most economical, fastest, and most functional way, without compromising on security requirements, functionality, and modern standards of prison institutions," the ministry stated.
The decision to move the prison project follows significant opposition from local groups in Mathiatis, particularly a heritage protection group which labeled the proposal for the Mathiatis site as "unacceptable." They argued that the area is environmentally sensitive and culturally significant, citing findings from an environmental study related to another project in the region.
Minister Fitiris had previously announced the Mathiatis location in March, highlighting its distance from residential areas, its status as state land, and its proximity to the capital as key factors in the decision. He had projected that construction would begin in the following year, with an estimated completion time of five years. The proposed facility, with a budget of €300 million, is designed to accommodate 1,500 inmates.
The announcement of the Mathiatis site faced immediate backlash from local community leaders. Theodoros Tsatsos, the community leader of Mathiatis, criticized the ministry for rushing the announcement without adequately informing residents about the potential impacts. He raised concerns about the environmental implications of building in a "pine-covered area," and pointed out the existing strain on local resources, noting that Mathiatis already hosts two army camps and land under Turkish Cypriot deeds.
Ayios Sozomenos, the newly chosen site for the prison, is a deserted village located near the Green Line, which has remained abandoned since intercommunal violence in February 1964. The village is notable for its historical and cultural landmarks, including a Byzantine cave chapel dedicated to Sozomenos, a hermit saint, and the unfinished Latin church of Saint Mamas, alongside remnants of mud brick structures left after the Turkish Cypriot community vacated the area.
As the project progresses, the Justice Ministry is committed to ensuring that the new prison will meet modern standards while addressing the concerns raised by local communities regarding environmental and cultural preservation. The shift to Ayios Sozomenos marks a significant change in the government's approach to the central prison project, reflecting a response to public sentiment and logistical considerations.