"Fresh grape vine" which is controlled by the underworld, the President of DIKO Nikolas Papadopoulos characterized the central prisons in his statements on state radio. At the same time, he accused the director of the prisons of failing miserably to control organized crime, calling for the adoption of a national strategy to deal with the situation. Prisoners stressing that a national strategy is needed to deal with organized crime.
"The most unpleasant thing is that it is not news that we find this situation in the Central Prisons. In 2006 when I first entered the House of Representatives the first debate I had in a House Committee was this issue, the crime organized by the underworld inside the Central Prisons. In 2023 we are still talking about the same things, it is an unpleasant, sad fact that things are not getting better but getting worse. As the underworld gets stronger and stronger this is how organized crime is strengthened. Several serious crimes that are committed in our society are initiated by the instructions from the Central Prisons. said Mr. Papadopoulos.
See also: State Department Report on Cyprus: References to Syllouris, Fylakes and Pournara
He went on to say that "we need to have a very serious discussion about the national strategy needed to tackle organized crime and a discussion about the conditions in the Central Prisons”.
In addition, he stated that a discussion should be started on the construction of a new building of the Central Prisons that meets the modern conditions and demands of society.
"The matter has reached an impasse and we must see with great seriousness and responsibility and determination how we can take those initiatives that will limit organized crime. The incidents in the Central Prisons are only the tip of the iceberg, the reality is that in Cyprus we have a very serious problem. said Mr. Papadopoulos.
It is noted that on Friday morning Mr. Papadopoulos in his statements on state radio about the Central Prisons said the following, "The Central Prisons are a wild vine. They are controlled by the underworld, the situation has reached an impasse and the adoption of a national strategy to deal with organized crime in Cyprus is required. which, however, was reserved, asking for time to be informed.
The issue has already been registered in the Parliament and is expected to be discussed in the next period.
"For years we have been warning about illegal actions and cover-up attempts within the CFS. Last July we registered an issue specifically about the situation in the PFs with various complaints, there were investigations in progress, there were investigations to be studied, the matter has not been discussed but it is going to be discussed as soon as possible. said AKEL MP Aristos Damianou.
See also: Prisoners on strike for presidential pardon-Relatives at the Presidential Office
He added that he is awaiting with interest the actions of the Minister of Justice .
The Police have the means and the means to crack down on any violation of the law within the Central Prisons, says the Equality Trade Union.
Nikos Loizidis also recommends the creation of special buildings for separation of inmates from other convicts, for the smooth functioning of the sophronistic institution.
