Tensions between journalists and judge at Dhekelia British Bases court

On July 2, 2026, Judge Carl Gunsley of the British Sovereign Base Areas court in Dhekelia imposed strict limitations on media coverage during the remand hearing of a 30-year-old father involved in the death of his two children. Judge Gunsley invoked English and Welsh legislation to restrict live reporting and mandated that journalists submit applications to prove their legal training before being granted permission to broadcast. The Union of Cyprus Journalists (UCJ) described the judge's behavior as offensive, argumentative, and arrogant, characterizing his threats of criminal contempt as a violation of press freedom. While the UCJ condemned the judge's actions as archaic and obstructive, the British Bases administration stated they remain committed to press freedom and the fundamental role of journalists in informing the public. The defendant remains in custody until the next hearing on July 16, following the judge's refusal of a bail application. This incident has raised concerns regarding the intersection of military court authority and journalistic rights in the region.