Minister of justice outlines legislative priorities and prison system reforms

On Wednesday, Minister of Justice and Public Order Kostas Fytiris addressed the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs to outline key legislative priorities, focusing on organized crime and surveillance regulations. Fytiris emphasized the need to constitutionalize Article 17 amendments and pass legislation allowing for the forfeiture of unexplained assets, which has already received Cabinet approval. In total, 38 pending bills and 10 upcoming ones are slated for parliamentary review. Separately, the Minister highlighted critical issues within the central prison system, noting that current facilities cannot be modernized. To address prison overcrowding, the Ministry is considering expanding criteria for the use of electronic monitoring bracelets. Additionally, efforts are underway to hire 90 correctional officers, and the appointment of a new prison director is expected by early September. The Minister also advocated for higher wages for staff working in high-security prison wings.