Dialogos

AKEL: State Inaction Shields Criminal Gangs

Published January 21, 2026, 06:04
AKEL: State Inaction Shields Criminal Gangs

AKEL spokesperson Giorgos Koukoumas expressed serious concern over the surge in organized crime in Cyprus. He emphasized that the frequent changes in Ministers of Justice and Police Chiefs, despite assurances to combat crime, have not led to improvement, with murder cases remaining unsolved and the leaders of criminal organizations remaining elusive. Koukoumas questioned the state's genuine will and ability to confront the underworld, given that law enforcement agencies possess the necessary legal tools and criminal networks are already mapped. He stressed that effective tackling requires actions and results, not mere declarations. The AKEL spokesperson accused the state of inaction, which, according to him, acts as a shield for criminal gangs. He confirmed that the public cannot accept the state's passivity in the face of organized crime. The AKEL statement is a critique of the government's policy on tackling crime and calls for immediate and effective action to protect citizens and restore the rule of law.