Newsroom
Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said Wednesday that Cyprus is facing a new kind of organized crime, one that’s being brought in from abroad, as authorities continue investigating the killing of businessman Stavros Demosthenous in Limassol last week.
Speaking after a closed-door session of the House Legal Affairs Committee, which was also attended by Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis, Hartsiotis said police have made “significant progress” in the case.
“We hope to fully solve this and bring those responsible to justice,” he said.
The minister said that while organized crime has always existed, it’s taken on a different face in recent years.
“Many of these people come to Cyprus to carry out crimes on behalf of others,” he said. “In the past, things were handled locally. Now, it’s part of a bigger international web.”
Crimes in broad daylight
Hartsiotis said police are tracking foreign criminal networks believed to be operating in Cyprus, noting that today’s underworld is more daring and better connected than before.
“What we used to see happening quietly at night now happens in broad daylight,” he said.
Police have set up special task forces to go after criminal groups and individuals whose lifestyles don’t match their declared income.
In coordination with the Financial Intelligence Unit (MOKAS) and other government agencies, investigators recently froze €25 million worth of assets linked to criminal activities, including homes, cars, jewelry, and even religious icons.
Trouble inside prisons
Asked about suspicions that some crimes are being coordinated from inside Cyprus’ Central Prisons, Hartsiotis admitted that contraband phones and drugs remain a problem but said new measures are underway.
“Prisons are not airtight,” he said. “We’ve confiscated hundreds of phones and are installing a system to block mobile signals and expand camera coverage.”
The minister said the government is determined to tighten control and boost cooperation between police and prison authorities.
“We’re not improvising here,” he said. “Several long-overdue measures are already being put in place.”
