Filenews 3 February 2026
The position that gamekeepers have been targeted by organized crime is expressed by the Pancyprian Guild ISOTITA. As it states in a statement, the union "denounces in the most categorical way the new, brazen attack against our colleague, which took place in the early hours of Monday, when criminal elements set his personal vehicle on fire, destroying it completely".
He notes that "this action is not accidental. There are now indications and suspicions that it is directly linked to the performance of the colleague's official duties, confirming that the Game Wardens have been targeted by organized crime, in an undeclared war that is raging uncontrollably."
The announcement is as follows
The Pancyprian Trade Union ISOTITA denounces in the most categorical way the new, brazen attack against our colleague, which took place in the early hours of Monday, when criminal elements set his personal vehicle on fire, destroying it completely. This action is not accidental. There are now indications and suspicions that it is directly linked to the exercise of the colleague's official duties, confirming that the Game Wardens have been targeted by organized crime, in an undeclared war that is raging uncontrollably.
History repeats itself in the most tragic way, evoking nightmarish memories. We do not forget that our Service has been soaked in the blood of its late Head, Savvas Savvas, who was cowardly murdered in 1999, when the underworld blew up his vehicle. From then until today, the list of attacks with explosive devices and arson against Game Wardens remains an open wound. The State knew and knows. Tolerance of violence against the people who protect the natural wealth of the country is tantamount to complicity in the repetition of such crimes
The most worrying and infuriating element, however, is corruption and the leakage of information from within. Criminals do not act blindly, but they seem to know with chilling accuracy our movement schedule, arrival and departure times, as well as personal data, such as when we are at home and when we are absent. As a result, frontline workers find ourselves trapped between two fronts: on the one hand, the unscrupulous criminal networks and on the other hand, the "Trojan horses" within the Service, who inform the underworld, leaving us exposed.
For a whole year, since January 2025, we have sounded the alarm to the competent Minister of the Interior and the Directorate of the Service, denouncing corruption in writing and submitting suggestions. Instead of substantial intervention, we received disdain and deafening silence, as no one in the upper chambers dares to touch the "hot iron" of the vested interests. Impunity has emboldened criminals, making beatings, fights and malicious actions a tragic "routine", while our requests for safety and health have been unjustifiably pending since 2019, with indifference prevailing and procedures moving at a snail's pace.
It is now a matter of survival and not of simple claim. The "ship" of the Game Service is taking in water from everywhere and is being led to the rocks due to the irresponsibility, sloppiness and criminal obstruction of the authorities. Instead of resolving the burning issues that threaten our physical integrity, the Administration is consumed in changing schedules, ignoring the essence. We demand immediate training from the Police, the institutionalization of the carrying of weapons on a 24-hour basis for self-defense, the establishment of a platoon to combat poaching by incorruptible officials and the creation of operational protocols that are currently non-existent.
We warn those in charge that they are considered unacceptable to say the least and bear full responsibility for what happens from now on. Tolerance is over. We will not wait to mourn victims to run after the event to correct the incorrigible. We demand radical solutions and catharsis now, with the protection of human life and the voice of the workers fighting on the front line at the forefront.
