Sense of security a non-negotiable goal, says Justice Minister
Fact: Cyprus is among the EU countries with the lowest performance in the time required to resolve civil cases.
justice minister
Phone blocking system for prisons delayed again
A new system deactivating mobile phones in the immediate vicinity of the central prisons will be installed and operational in one-and-a-half years. The previous deactivation system had been problematic, and delays in implementation were caused by the emergence of 5G technology. Additionally, steps are being taken to alleviate overcrowding at the prisons, including the construction of a new building at the open prison site and a completely new prisons complex by 2027. Legislation concerning the functioning of the attorney-general’s office is also being drafted based on a study commissioned by the government.
Huge manhunt launched in France as gunmen kill two guards, free inmate from prison van
Two French prison guards were shot dead and three others injured when armed men ambushed a prison van to free an inmate in Incarville, France. The inmate and attackers escaped, triggering a major manhunt led by Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. The Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti stated that efforts will be made to find and punish the criminals responsible for the attack. The fugitive inmate has been named as Mohamed A., suspected of ordering a murder in Marseille and having ties to the city’s powerful “Blacks” gang.
House unanimously rejects Christodoulides, ’ police law change
Parliament unanimously rejected a law proposed by President Nikos Christodoulides, which would have allowed the police chief to unilaterally appoint and promote specialist staff regardless of their qualifications. Instead, the legislation sent back to Christodoulides allows the police chief to appoint specialist staff under certain conditions and upon the approval of the justice minister. The government argues that parliament’s version of the law is unconstitutional as it violates Article 80 of the constitution. Independent MP Kostis Efstathiou raised concerns about Christodoulides’ version of the law, stating that it would put democracy at risk.
MPs reject president, ’s referral of police law
The House legal committee rejected President Nikos Christodoulides’ referral of a law that would grant the police chief powers to appoint specialist staff. This decision was made to prevent potential risks to democracy.
Covering faces at protests to be banned
The fact described in the text is that the act of covering one’s face at a protest may be outlawed according to a new bill put forward by the government.
Christodoulides and Sunak talk amid migration parallels
– President Nikos Christodoulides and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak discussed migration on Tuesday.
– 80% of asylum seekers arrived in Ireland by crossing its land border with Northern Ireland.
– The UK is not interested in accepting the return of asylum seekers who enter the EU from their country.
– Ireland’s High Court ruled that the UK should no longer be designated as a “safe country” for returning asylum seekers.
– The Cypriot government believes that Syria is now a safe country to which migrants can be returned.
Families of Cypriot earthquake dead fly to Turkey for trial
Fact: The families of the 24 Cypriot children who were killed in the Isias hotel collapse traveled to Turkey ahead of the trial of those held responsible for the collapse.
Our View: Politicians can, ’t resist the urge to engage in drug alarmism
Politicians and media tend to blow matters related to drug use out of proportion, despite the fact that statistics do not support the idea of a drug problem in schools. In the past three years, the Drug Squad sent an average of one student per public school to detox programs each year, indicating that the issue may not be as widespread as portrayed. Youth often agree to participate in these programs as a condition for not being charged, rather than because they are addicts in need of help.
Preparations stepped up ahead of wildfire season
Preparations are being stepped up ahead of this year’s wildfire season in Cyprus. The government is implementing a fire and crisis management system, purchasing new equipment, and hiring 259 new firefighters. There will also be an army of volunteer firefighters for the first time. The central message of fire safety week is to protect the land from danger. Modern technological systems have been installed for monitoring and early detection of fires. Over 110,000 people have signed up for the government’s “fire watcher” scheme to report any suspicious activities that may cause fires.