Prisoner on authorized leave arrested for restaurant burglary in Paphos

A 56-year-old European national serving a six-year prison sentence at the Central Prisons of Cyprus was arrested in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, 2026. The individual, who had been granted approved leave to visit his family in Paphos, is suspected of involvement in the burglary of a local restaurant and the theft of approximately 6,000 euros.

The prisoner had been serving time for theft by an employee and money laundering. Having completed more than half of his sentence, he was participating in the Guidance Centre for Extramural Employment and Rehabilitation of Prisoners, which allowed for the authorized leave. Following his arrest, the inmate was taken into custody and was scheduled to appear before the Paphos District Court to face a police request for a remand order. In response to the incident, the Central Prisons have initiated internal procedures to review his participation in the rehabilitation program and his overall incarceration status.