Newsroom
''We were jealous,'' said former Assistant Chief of Police Christoforos Mavrommatis, describing how Cypriot investigators have been left behind while foreign police use phone monitoring to track suspects in real time.
Cyprus’ parliament is now debating a sensitive bill to allow authorities to monitor telephone communications, a tool police say has long been overdue and is urgently needed to fight serious crime.
Investigations hampered
Mavrommatis told Kathimerini’s “UNCUT” podcast that the absence of phone surveillance has repeatedly slowed investigations. In some cases, foreign authorities alert Cyprus that suspects abroad are communicating with people on the island about illegal activities, but local police cannot act with the same speed or detail.
“Big problem,” he said plainly, calling the gap in capabilities a serious disadvantage in both international and domestic cases.
Crime evolving faster than laws
The former assistant chief also warned that organized crime is moving faster than legislation. By the time Cyprus finalizes rules for monitoring phone communications, traditional calls could already be outdated as criminal networks shift to encrypted apps and the dark web.
“Within two to three years, telephone communications could be considered obsolete for serious criminal activity,” Mavrommatis said.
Balancing safety and privacy
Parliament is trying to find a “golden balance” between giving police the tools they need and protecting citizens’ privacy. The debate touches on fundamental rights while aiming to strengthen law enforcement against serious crimes.
Expertise exists, but investment needed
Despite these challenges, Mavrommatis said Cyprus Police have highly trained officers, especially in cybercrime, and praised collaboration with Europol. Cypriot investigators have contributed to major international cases, including child exploitation investigations.
Still, he emphasized that modern criminal networks require not just new laws, but also modern equipment and continuous investment if Cyprus hopes to keep pace.
