Rise in femicide and domestic violence cases in Cyprus

Recent incidents in Cyprus have intensified public discourse regarding femicide and gender-based violence. On a Tuesday in 2026, a police officer shot his 46-year-old wife four times outside a school in Zakaki before committing suicide. Earlier that year, on June 27, 2026, a 35-year-old Syrian national allegedly attacked his ex-wife and mother-in-law with a knife in Nicosia; the suspect remains wanted by authorities. Police data indicates 16 femicides occurred between 2020 and 2025, claiming 17 lives in total. Additionally, Cyprus reports approximately three femicides annually alongside 110 reports of domestic violence per month. Concerns have been raised regarding firearm accessibility for those in law enforcement, military, or hunting, as well as systemic delays in judicial processes. Critics point to the need for better mental health evaluations for gun owners and faster response times to reports of violence.