Equality union vice president dismissed from prison service

On July 31, 2026, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order of Cyprus announced the dismissal of Giorgos Maltezos, the vice president and spokesperson of the Equality (Isotita) correctional officers' union, from his position as a permanent prison officer. This decision followed the conclusion of a formal disciplinary investigation conducted by the ministry.

According to the official investigation findings, Maltezos was found to have repeatedly failed to comply with operational instructions and management decisions at the prison department. Specifically, the ministry reported that he systematically absented himself from his duties on certain days without prior approval, despite multiple written and verbal warnings. Officials stated that these unauthorized absences negatively impacted shift distributions and overall facility operations. Conversely, the Equality union asserts that the disciplinary actions and subsequent dismissal were a direct consequence of a prolonged conflict between the union and Justice Minister Kostas Fytiris regarding prison security, staffing levels, and the union's public criticism of departmental management.

Maltezos had been a prominent critic of the current prison administration and Minister Fytiris, having recently engaged in public debates regarding alleged corruption and operational deficiencies. While the ministry characterizes the termination as a standard result of a disciplinary process, union representatives view the move as retaliation for their advocacy and complaints filed with European authorities and the anti-corruption agency.