Organised crime is already watching us, says justice minister as he sets out anti-graft priorities

Local central prisonsCrimepoliceTop News Organised crime is already watching us, says justice minister as he sets out anti-graft priorities Cyprus Justice Minister Costas Fytiris Relevant News Organised crime is already watching us, says justice minister as he sets out anti-graft priorities 25 June 2026 Hot Thursday ahead with 37°C inland, strong coastal winds and fog overnight 25 June 2026 Nicosia hosts inaugural International Academy of Young Composers with free concerts from 26 June 24 June 2026 Michalis Hadjivasilis 25 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Justice and Public Order Minister Costas Fytiris used his first appearance before the new House Legal Affairs Committee on Wednesday to warn that the state was losing ground to organised crime — and to lay out an ambitious legislative agenda to fight back. “Organised crime has advanced so far that it is already watching us. We are still debating whether surveillance should be permitted to combat organised crime,” he said. His immediate priority is a harmonisation bill targeting money laundering from illegal activities. The bill has not yet been submitted to parliament but will be soon, Fytiris said, with the aim of confiscating assets that cannot be justified by legitimate income. On telephone surveillance legislation, he said the committee would first discuss its intentions before any changes were made and the bills put to a vote. Tackling organised crime was essential so that young people could live in a safe society, he added. Fytiris also called for a package of 38 bills on the reform of the Law Office of the Republic and oversight of the Attorney General’s decisions to be pushed to a vote, noting that the previous parliament had already discussed them at length. Juvenile detention The meeting turned contentious over juvenile detention. AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtidhis accused the government of breaking the law for four years, pointing out that legislation requiring the separate detention of juveniles had been passed but never implemented. Cyprus was in breach of its European obligations, he said, and parliament was not prepared to grant any further extension. Fytiris said the juvenile prison would be built in Mennogia, blaming the delay on the Public Works department. There are currently 15 to 20 juvenile detainees, he said, and plans are being considered to partition the detention areas at Mennogia to also accommodate approximately 80 female prisoners. He said he could not commit to the facilities being ready by the end of the year. Police reform and crossings On police shift changes, Fytiris said the government would take a coordinated rather than piecemeal approach, with the aim of strengthening frontline officers. Tenders and other administrative functions currently handled by the police would be transferred to the ministry, he said, and a tender for body cameras for officers would be announced in the coming weeks. Asked about crossings to and from the occupied north, Fytiris said the government was considering criminalising under the Green Line Regulation the use of unofficial dirt road crossings. The current situation — where those arriving via dirt roads are simply directed to official crossing points — was creating problems, and solutions were being discussed, he said. New prison Construction at the new Mathiatis prison facility is targeted to begin before the end of 2027. Planning is under way, an agreement has been reached with the Development Bank, and Fytiris said he hoped to present the master plan to local residents by the end of September. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Hot Thursday ahead with 37°C inland, strong coastal winds and fog overnight Nicosia hosts inaugural International Academy of Young Composers with free concerts from 26 June Anastasiades’s dribble The stain is enormous, even without ‘Mafia State’, Nikos Anastasiades The picture of corruption is pitch black and not easily glossed over That December day… More heat records expected as deadly ‘Omega’ heatwave grips Europe Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.