Filenews 9 February 2026 - by Despina Psyllou
"We have a duty to turn the announcements into action, after almost 65 days in the Ministry of Justice," he said.
His mission, as he describes, is summed up in one word. The "security", through which freedom can be ensured. The country needs to get rid of organized crime and corruption, he underlined.
The technological means of today, he also pointed out, tomorrow may be outdated by organized crime and that is why continuous modernization is needed.
An important weapon is the confiscation of properties that are not documented. A prison system of today is needed with a five-year implementation horizon, outside the urban fabric.
An important area of safety at sea and in coastal infrastructure. A coast guard independent of the Police will be prepared.
New Prisons
They will be prepared outside the urban fabric with a capacity of 1,250 residents. It will be modernized in technologies and infrastructure. The goal is to reduce recidivism. It will offer a closed prison, a semi-open prison, an open prison and then back to society.
An area of 500,000 sq.m. in central Cyprus will be prepared on state land.
Referring to staffing, he said that it is already running for both prison management and prison officers.
Police
Modernization of contracts that serve the Police and any other action needed for the Presidency of Cyprus to run smoothly in the EU.
Fire Brigade
Reinforcement and support of the Fire Brigade with drones and anything else needed to manage the fires.
Mr. Fytiris emphasizes that the goal is to fight organized crime, however, he states that evidence and evidence are needed so that those who break the law can reach justice.
Responding to Annie Alexui, he said that investigations are being carried out by the Police, but documents and official complaints are needed. "The state operates with laws and rules. We want testimonies that justify the arrest," underlined Mr. Fytiris and added that there is no other way for the Prosecutor's Office to move.
The Minister stated that it is his goal to fight organized crime.
In relation to critical infrastructure, he said that we must be prepared from terrorist and other attacks, which are often carried out by sea and that is why the coast guard is needed.
Regarding the confiscation of property acquired through criminal actions, Mr. Fytiris clarified that it can be achieved through the implementation of an EU directive, which speaks of freezing property if how it was acquired cannot be justified.
In relation to the criminal cases of the two mayors, Phaedon Phedonos and Pieris Gypsiotis, he noted that they are being handled by the Legal Service and the Police, which are examining whether they can stand.
As for the spikes left by the president of the EQUALITY union, Nikos Loizides, for threats, the Minister replied: I will be happy if I learn from the Chief of Police that Mr. Loizides asked to be moved from the Headquarters to be on the front line.
