Newsroom
Lawmakers are sounding the alarm over a €4 million plan to expand Cyprus’ ''photo radar'' system, which automatically issues fines for traffic violations. The controversy? Parts of it, including at airports, could be running without proper legal approval.
AKEL MP Aristos Damianou slammed the move in a Parliamentary Finance Committee meeting, saying the state is trying to push the system “through the back door.” He warned that stopping travelers at airports for fines they might not even know about could violate their rights. “The state must apply the law, not act like a mafioso to deceive the people,” he said.
...the state is trying to push the system “through the back door...The state must apply the law, not act like a mafioso to deceive the people.” - AKEL MP Aristos Damianou
The system is managed by a private contractor using fixed and mobile cameras across the island. On roads, it operates legally, and fines are enforced by the police. But MPs are questioning whether taxpayers are getting full transparency on the costs, the contractor’s fees, and how the system really works. Officials insist the contractor is paid based on camera operating hours, not on the number of fines issued.
At this stage, the airport and port parts of the system are not yet being used, though budget money has been allocated for them. MPs have called for ministers and stakeholders to present a full breakdown of expenses before any expansion takes place.
Meanwhile, the amending budget also includes funding for municipal road maintenance. These funds are already being put to use to repair roads of primary importance, a move Damianou welcomed as a practical and visible benefit for ordinary citizens. He said it’s a reminder that, while new systems like photo radar raise legal and transparency concerns, other parts of the budget are directly improving daily life for Cypriots.
