Local municipalities and opposition party oppose new prison site in Agios Sozomenos

On September 17 and 18, 2026, the municipalities of South Nicosia-Idalio and Latsia-Yeri, alongside the opposition party AKEL, publicly opposed the government’s decision to locate new central prison facilities in the Agios Sozomenos area. The municipalities, representing approximately 60,000 residents, demanded an immediate revocation of the plan, citing a lack of consultation and transparent feasibility studies.

The proposed project is designed to accommodate over 1,000 inmates and hundreds of staff members. Local authorities argue that the site is already environmentally burdened by existing infrastructure, such as livestock waste treatment units, pig farms, quarries, and a 132 kV EAC overhead power line. Furthermore, the land in question is earmarked for agricultural development, which opponents claim makes it unsuitable for a large-scale detention center.

AKEL officials criticized the Ministry of Justice and Minister Fitiris for bypassing local authorities and failing to provide scientific documentation for the site selection. This controversy follows earlier unsuccessful proposals for other locations, such as Mathiatis. The municipalities and the opposition party are calling for a formal pause to the project to allow for meaningful dialogue and the evaluation of alternative sites that better account for social, environmental, and land-use impacts.