Filenews 5 February 2026 - by Michalis Chatzivasilis
A host of illegalities in slums, with sanitary deficiencies, people crammed into rooms, without elementary fire safety measures, plus illegalities related to crime, is the picture shown by the coordinated operations in old Nicosia with the assistance of the Municipality.
In one year, 18 operations were carried out, during which 131 illegally residing foreigners were arrested, while 318 premises were checked, some of which were complained of. Four buildings were closed by decree issued by the Municipality of Nicosia due to the inadequacy of the infrastructure, while Minister Costas Fytiris is determined to continue operations to combat all forms of illegality.
The day before yesterday, on the initiative of the mayor of Nicosia, Charalambos Prountzos, a broad meeting of all the services involved was held on the occasion of the change of baton at the Ministry of Justice, so that the targeted operations can continue, in view of the arrival of two Universities in the old city. Characteristic of the situation in the center of Nicosia (old town and beyond) is that on 26.02.2025, three apartment buildings in an area where political asylum seekers from African countries were gathered were checked in the operation. During the operation, a total of four arrests were made for illegal stay on the territory of the Republic from the 39 checks on persons. On the part of the Health Services of the Municipality of Nicosia, according to a report, serious health deficiencies were identified in three buildings (issues of overcrowding, safety and fire safety) and it was decided to take legal action against the owners of the buildings in cooperation with the Fire Service.
In another operation on 14.05.2025, 31 apartments in a total of 15 apartment buildings, mainly old buildings, were inspected. The Health Services of the Municipality of Nicosia inspected 15 apartment buildings in cooperation with the Fire Service in which they found a number of violations, while the members of the HOA identified various illegal additions and extensions of the buildings. Also on 29.05.2025, the operation aimed to control premises in areas where there is intense increased illegal activity. During the inspection, two complaints were made about the sale of alcoholic beverages, while the Fire Service identified a number of violations during the inspections and a report was prepared together with the EOA for taking measures.
In another inspection of 42 apartments on two well-known streets of old Nicosia, 124 foreign persons were found. In the inspections carried out, the Nicosia Health Services identified a number of health violations (overcrowding, clutter, dirt, inappropriate electrical appliances and generally inappropriate living conditions). The Fire Service identified a number of violations in fire safety issues and a detailed report followed at the Nicosia City Hall. The EDA members identified a number of infringements within their own competence (modifications to building plans). The members of the Tax Department inspected the two buildings and received the details of the tenants and owners in order to carry out the corresponding checks of their own competence. Based on the above investigations, the Health Services of the Municipality and EOA issued a temporary unilateral closure order for the two buildings by the Court.
In another operation in July, 15 apartments near Paphos Gate were inspected where makeshift constructions, gas and dirt were found, while the Fire Service found a number of violations in all the apartments inspected. The fewest illegalities were detected on Ledra and Onasagorou streets and concerned insignificant findings.
Strikes against illegality
In an operation of the Anti-Human Trafficking Office on 29/8/25 on Trikoupi & Achilleos Street for the purpose of prostitution, two girls from Vietnam were located who were illegally on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus and were arrested for the self-inflicted crime of illegal stay.
Padlock in apartment buildings
A number of illegalities were detected in a business on 16/9/25 in areas of Nicosia and outside the walls:
In an apartment building in Agios Andreas, two apartments and a house located at the back of the apartment building were checked and a total of five foreign people, who were legally on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, were checked.
• The Health Services identified urban planning violations, dirt, dangerous constructions, a letter will be sent to the owner of the building for compliance.
• The EOA identified dangerous illegal constructions while the house located at the back of the apartment building was illegal.
• The Income Tax Department will check whether the landlord pays tax from the rental receipts.
• The Fire Service detected the use of LPG cylinders inside the apartment building and will send a letter to the E.O.A. with its findings.
In a second apartment building in the same area, nine apartments and 23 foreigners who were legally in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus were checked. The findings of the various Services are as follows:
• The Health Services of the Nicosia City Hall have identified impurities, various illegalities and will issue an ex-parte decree.
• The HOA has identified several illegalities and will be waiting for the letter from the Nicosia City Hall.
• The Fire Service located LPG cylinders, rough wire branches and will send a letter with the findings to the E.O.A.
• The Tax Department will check whether the owner pays tax from the receipts of the apartments.
Prountzos: The situation is changing
Speaking to "F", the mayor of Nicosia said that with the successive campaigns, the sense of security of the citizens has slowly begun to increase and the situation is generally changing.
Regarding the meeting the day before yesterday, he said that he wanted the new Minister of Justice, Kostas Fytiris, to be informed about what has happened so far and to become aware of the problems that exist. The campaigns began, he said, on the initiative of former minister Marios Hartsiotis and are not aimed at foreigners but at illegality in barbershops, housing units, grocery stores, etc. Mr. Prountzos stated that he proposed the relocation of the Ledra police station from its end to the beginning near Eleftherias Square for security purposes, the installation of neighbourhood police officers in the Municipality of Nicosia and at the same time requested that the cameras for the smart city installed by the Municipality be allowed to report drivers who break the law. There are buses running on Makarios Avenue, the mayor said, with 80km instead of 30 and they are not reported.
The Police, the Asylum Service, the Fire Brigade, the Health Services of the Municipality, the Department of Taxation, VAT, Social Insurance and members of the District Administration take part in the operations.
