Prison guard files criminal application against five state officials in Cyprus

On August 18, 2026, prison guard and union member Giorgos Maltezos, representing the Isotita union, filed a criminal application with the Supreme Court of Cyprus. The petition seeks to issue an indictment against five state officials, including the Minister of Justice and Public Order and the Deputy Director of the Prison Department. The legal action relates to alleged violations of the Law 30(III)/1995, which ratifies ILO Convention 135 concerning the protection of workers' representatives.

This filing follows a decision by the Nicosia District Court on July 1, 2026, which refused to register the indictment. The lower court reasoned that the Republic of Cyprus does not qualify as an organization or a legal person under the specific articles of the law. The union argues that if the lower court's interpretation stands, the state, as the country's largest employer, would remain immune from labor protection laws, essentially placing it beyond the reach of the legislation.

The case is currently pending before the Supreme Court as the applicant persists in seeking criminal prosecution against the identified officials. Future proceedings will determine whether the Supreme Court accepts the arguments for overturning the lower court's decision regarding the legal status of the state in this context.