Dialogos

Cyprus Justice Minister: Low Risk of Terrorist Acts

Published March 12, 2026, 14:01
Cyprus Justice Minister: Low Risk of Terrorist Acts

The Minister of Justice, Konstantinos Fytiris, stated that the risk of terrorist acts in Cyprus is very low, due to the country's historical role as a center for peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. While acknowledging that organized crime and terrorism can sometimes be linked, he emphasized that terrorist attacks in Cyprus have been rare in the last 30-40 years. The Police are constantly taking security measures at potential targets, considering geopolitical developments and the interests of involved countries, such as Iran, the USA, and the UK. The Minister mentioned that Cyprus maintains good relations with the countries in the region and functions as a hub for resolving disputes, not for de-escalating them. He expressed confidence that Cyprus is not a likely target in the event of an escalation of current conflicts. Regarding organized crime, Mr. Fytiris pointed out that the prisons are full and the Police arrest people involved in criminal activities daily. He acknowledged that organized crime is becoming internationalized and that various organizations are trying to unite under various umbrellas. Finally, the Minister of Justice referred to the efforts of the Cypriot Presidency to create information exchange systems with other EU countries, aiming to prevent and suppress organized crime. He considered the situation to be on the right track, while the approval of bills for surveillance is expected to strengthen the capabilities of the Police.