Security concerns rise at Nicosia Central Prison following union allegations

On August 5, 2026, two simultaneous violent clashes between inmates occurred at Nicosia Central Prison in wings 5 and 2B, resulting in one reported injury. The prison officers' branch of the ISOTITA union utilized this event to highlight systemic failures, including chronic understaffing, overcrowding, and rampant drug trafficking, which they argue have rendered the facility unsafe for both staff and inmates.

In addition to the August incidents, the union cited a history of violence, including a stabbing in a maximum-security wing in July 2026, a June 2026 clash involving improvised weapons, and a lingering 2025 rape case. These reports follow the dismissal of ISOTITA vice president Giorgos Maltezos. While the union claims the firing was retaliatory due to his criticism of prison conditions, Justice Minister Costas Fitiris maintains that the termination was strictly a disciplinary measure based on non-compliance with workplace regulations.

Minister Fitiris has defended the ministry's internal investigation and stressed that while union activities are protected, they require proper authorization during work hours. The union remains in a direct dispute with the Justice Ministry, and Maltezos retains the legal right to challenge his employment termination through formal channels.