Filenews 4 December 2025 - by Theodora Nikolaou
The Parliament approved a consolidated text of the bill and the law proposals submitted by Marina Nikolaou on the part of AKEL and Nikos Georgiou on the part of DISY, which amends the Criminal Code, so that the attack on a law enforcement officer, a public servant, a nurse or a midwife is considered a special offense.
The amendment of the Penal Code provides, on the one hand, for the establishment as a special offense of assault causing damage to a law enforcement officer, a public official, a doctor, a nurse and a midwife in the exercise of their duties or to another person who provides assistance to them, which is punishable by a prison sentence not exceeding four years, and, On the other hand, the offense of assault, which is punishable by imprisonment of two years for the acts, the attack, resistance or deliberate obstruction of a public official, doctor, nurse or midwife in the exercise of their duties or on another person who provides assistance to them.
AKEL MP Marina Nikolaou said that AKEL has always been by the side of health professionals and proves it in practice. "Our proposal aims to prevent and create a deterrent shield that makes it clear that violence against health professionals will not be tolerated. We are creating conditions that allow the proper functioning of our hospitals and we are sending the message that in the face of violence we are present and respond with actions," he continued.
DISY MP Nikos Georgiou said that "DISY's proposal was adopted in its entirety and in an effort to cover health workers, the relevant regulation was made and it was not a matter of controversy. The text is unified and we do not seek laurels and we will not attribute laurels to anyone." Furthermore, he said that the frequency of incidents of violence should not leave us indifferent. He cited as an example an unthinkable scene that unfolded in the first aid of the Nicosia General Hospital just last summer, where a female probationary police officer in the line of duty was injured by a person who was in a furious state by kicking her in the eye. In another case, he said, a nurse while trying to provide his services was threatened by a third person who turned a folding knife at him. "For these reasons, I submitted a proposal for a law that provides for stricter criminal treatment for such acts. In particular, it is proposed that it is considered an aggravated offense to inflict bodily harm on public officials or a law enforcement body during the performance of their duties with the corresponding imposition of heavier penalties," he said.
The consolidated text was voted unanimously with 30 votes in favour.
