MVP

Tag: Central Prison

  • Central prison — Justice Minister to Inspect Central Prison Following EU Concerns

    Central prison — Justice Minister to Inspect Central Prison Following EU Concerns

    The Justice Minister’s upcoming visit to the central prison follows serious concerns raised in a recent EU report regarding the facility’s conditions.

    • The Justice Minister's upcoming visit to the central prison follows serious concerns raised in a recent EU report regarding the facility's conditions.

    Central prison: Justice Minister’s Commitment to Prison Oversight

    Justice Minister Costas Fitiris announced on Wednesday that he will visit the central prison on Thursday. His aim is to gather comprehensive information regarding the various issues that plague the facility. Fitiris stated, “I am here to obtain general information on all issues concerning the prison,” highlighting his intention to improve the existing situation.

    EU Report Highlights Grave Concerns

    The Council of Europe’s committee for the prevention of torture issued a report that outlined numerous alarming conditions within the central prison. Among its findings were significant failures by prison staff to ensure the safety of inmates. The report identified a chronic shortage of frontline officers as a critical factor contributing to the deterioration of safety and order.

    Inter-Prisoner Violence and Overcrowding Issues

    The committee’s report expressed grave concerns about high levels of inter-prisoner violence, stating that the staff shortage allowed groups of prisoners to dominate and impose informal punishments. The situation has been exacerbated by extreme overcrowding, with cells accommodating up to four inmates in spaces smaller than six square metres. This lack of personal space has led to dire sanitary conditions, with reports indicating that some prisoners have had to urinate in bottles and defecate in bags due to insufficient access to sanitation facilities.

    Prison Guards Union Voices Alarm

    The prison guards branch of the Pasydy union has echoed the concerns raised in the EU report, declaring that conditions at the central prison have “exceeded all limits of endurance and tolerance.” The union emphasised that the state could no longer afford to remain silent on the matter. They warned of an “explosive security crisis” that poses risks to both inmates and prison staff.

    Violence and Criminal Activity Within the Facility

    Recent incidents have underscored the urgency of the situation. On Sunday, a 35-year-old inmate was murdered within the prison, leading to the arrest of a fellow inmate on suspicion of premeditated murder. Furthermore, a 30-year-old convict in custody is being investigated for potential involvement in the murder of Limassol businessman Stavros Demosthenous, which occurred in October.

    Allegations of Sexual Assault and Negligence

    In September, a prisoner reported that he was repeatedly raped by fellow inmates, accusing the prison authorities of failing to act on early warnings and covering up the criminal acts. This incident has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of the prison administration in protecting inmates from violence and abuse.

    Union Calls for Fundamental Changes

    The Pasydy union has articulated that the current climate within the prison system is intolerable. They argued that assigning policing roles to prison staff would compromise their safety and hinder the trust needed for successful rehabilitation programmes. The union concluded that the only viable solution is the construction of a new prison facility, one that adheres to European standards for security, living, and working conditions.

    Decades of Neglect and the Urgency for Reform

    Decades of decay in the prison infrastructure have left staff carrying out their duties in conditions that fail to meet even basic safety standards. The union’s position is clear: without significant changes, both inmates and staff are at risk of becoming victims of the violence that permeates the prison environment.

    Looking Ahead: Minister’s Visit as a Catalyst for Change

    As Justice Minister Costas Fitiris prepares for his visit, there is cautious hope that his engagement with the prison system will lead to meaningful reforms. The spotlight on the central prison, intensified by the EU report and ongoing incidents, may finally prompt the necessary actions to address the critical issues that have long been ignored.

  • Weapons cache — Nicosia Weapons Cache Discovery Ties to Criminal Network

    Weapons cache — Nicosia Weapons Cache Discovery Ties to Criminal Network

    Police in Nicosia uncovered a weapons cache in Kokkinotrimithia, revealing connections to a criminal network allegedly coordinating activities from within Central Prison.

    • Police in Nicosia uncovered a weapons cache in Kokkinotrimithia, revealing connections to a criminal network allegedly coordinating activities from within Central Prison.
    • Alongside the firearms, police seized 2.17 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 34 grams of cocaine, suggesting that drug trafficking is also part of the group's activities.

    The discovery is significant, as it opens serious criminal cases and supports theories about organised criminal strikes in Larnaca and other regions. Authorities are now investigating a series of criminal activities that have unfolded recently across the island, focusing on six notable incidents in Larnaca and one linked to the British Bases.

    Weapons cache: Police Strike Prevents Further Criminal Activity

    Investigators believe they have thwarted planned criminal acts by uncovering firearms and ammunition associated with the group. This cache includes four pistols, an air rifle equipped with a scope, several 9mm cartridges, and loaded magazines, all found in a remote portable warehouse.

    Link to Recent Criminal Cases Established

    Larnaca Police have marked the attempted murder and arson case from 14 August as “solved” following the arrest of six individuals, one of whom is a convict from Central Prison. The evidence suggests these arrests connect to at least three other criminal incidents.

    The first incident took place in late June, involving the arson of a vehicle owned by an individual known to authorities. A 17-year-old suspect, arrested for this act, reportedly confessed and was subsequently released under court conditions.

    Another arson case occurred on 15 August in Aradippou, targeting a 42-year-old’s car, followed by a vehicle arson targeting an elderly individual in Dasaki Achnas. The latter incident appears to have been a case of mistaken identity, with no links to organised crime.

    Seizure of Drugs Highlights Broader Criminal Network

    Alongside the firearms, police seized 2.17 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine and 34 grams of cocaine, suggesting that drug trafficking is also part of the group’s activities.

    The investigation into the Pyla incident has led to the arrest of five men, with three identified as direct perpetrators. A 23-year-old is believed to have set the vehicles ablaze, while a second 17-year-old allegedly shot a security guard, and another of the same age is thought to have driven the getaway vehicle. A 27-year-old is reported to have provided the vehicle used in the crime, and a 44-year-old is identified as the Central Prison convict involved.

    Arrests Lead to Breakthrough in Investigation

    A breakthrough in the case occurred when an 18-year-old was accidentally arrested in Paphos on 22 August. He reportedly stole the green saloon vehicle used in the Pyla incident on 13 August, later confessing to selling two stolen vehicles to the 27-year-old for €500. This development has provided crucial insights into the network’s operations.