Critical overcrowding in Cyprus police detention facilities

Cyprus police detention facilities are facing a severe overcrowding crisis, significantly exacerbated by overflow from the central prison system. As of August 11, 2026, many stations are operating far beyond their intended capacity; for example, the Lakatamia police station, designed for 40 detainees, is currently holding 77 people. Similar conditions are reported in Limassol. Approximately 120 inmates, who should ideally be housed in the central prison, are being held in police cells because the prisons themselves are at full capacity.

This dire situation has led to reports of detainees sleeping on floors, poor hygiene standards, and a lack of adequate safety protocols. Many inmates are denied their daily exercise periods, which violates guidelines set by the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). The police are forced to relocate suspects from Nicosia to facilities as far away as Paphos or Paralimni to manage the lack of space. Nicos Loizides, a representative of the Isotita union, has warned that the ongoing conditions create significant risks for both officers and detainees, noting that the inability to provide proper human rights standards may lead to unrest within the holding areas.