The Ministry of Justice is considering extending electronic monitoring to defendants awaiting trial, in addition to convicted criminals, Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis told parliament on Monday.
During his ministry’s budget presentation to the Financial Committee, Hartsiotis also outlined measures to prevent citizens from being imprisoned for minor debts, including small VAT arrears and minor fines.
The minister said imprisonment was not necessary for all types of offences and revealed that a new mobile phone deactivation system for prisons would be operational by mid-2025.
A committee of experts has already visited prisons abroad to study similar systems.
Hartsiotis also discussed Project Elpis, which includes a “red button” feature allowing individuals to report abuse directly to the police.
The smart application is set to launch in pilot phase in 2024, with full implementation planned for 2025.
Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis, responding to MPs’ questions, outlined a reorganisation plan that includes establishing a 24-hour operations centre to handle and respond to citizen complaints across Cyprus.
Regarding the witness protection programme, Arnaoutis acknowledged certain challenges and reported ongoing discussions with the Law Office.
“We are examining two aspects: the construction of a witness protection facility and its staffing. Thorough work is needed to protect witnesses and their families”, he said.
Arnaoutis revealed one case where criminals had gone as far as opening a grave to blackmail a witness by threatening to steal the remains.
