Severe overcrowding reported in Cyprus police detention facilities

Police detention facilities across Cyprus are facing a critical overcrowding crisis, forcing detainees to sleep on floors and raising concerns about hygiene, security, and human rights violations. The Lakatamia police station, designed to hold 40 individuals, is currently accommodating 77 people, with similar conditions reported in Limassol. This situation has been exacerbated by the transfer of convicted prisoners from the central prison to police cells, alongside an influx of suspects from ongoing police operations. As a result, many detainees are reportedly being denied their daily exercise periods, a practice that contradicts the recommendations established by the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT).

The Cyprus Police has acknowledged the issue, attributing the strain to intensified operational activity, a high volume of arrests for serious criminal offenses, and various court-issued detention and sentencing orders. While officials state that they are collaborating with relevant authorities to manage the situation while respecting the rights of detainees, they emphasize that the demand for increased policing and effective crime fighting inevitably creates greater pressure on existing detention infrastructure. Ongoing efforts to mitigate the crisis involve redistributing detainees to stations with available space, such as those in Paphos or Paralimni, though the system remains under extreme duress.