Dialogos

AKEL: "Dangerous" Change to Phone Surveillance – General Prosecutor Should Not Have Sole Decision-Making Power

Published March 12, 2026, 12:02
AKEL: "Dangerous" Change to Phone Surveillance – General Prosecutor Should Not Have Sole Decision-Making Power

AKEL is criticizing the change in legislation regarding phone surveillance, describing it as "dangerous." MP Andreas Pasourtidis pointed out that the initial 2020 legislation was not implemented and that now, instead of a court order, only the written approval of the Attorney General is sufficient. AKEL believes that concentrating such power in one person is dangerous and that human rights should be safeguarded. Mr. Pasourtidis emphasized that the absence of procedures and warrants that would guarantee the privacy of citizens is worrying. He stressed the need for a balance between protecting human rights and combating crime. AKEL will propose measures to achieve this balance at tomorrow's emergency plenary session of the Parliament. The criticism from AKEL focuses on the fact that the government did not take timely measures to correct the weaknesses of the legislation, despite the fact that these were known since 2022. This delay, according to AKEL, is due to the upcoming parliamentary elections. AKEL is committed to defending human rights and the privacy of citizens, while also recognizing the need for effective crime fighting. The party's proposal will aim to achieve a balance between these two goals, ensuring that phone surveillance is carried out only with the legal approval of the courts and with respect for the privacy of citizens.