Cyprus to terminate police protection for former officials

Cyprus Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kostas Fytiris, has officially ordered the termination of police protection for several former high-ranking officials. Effective October 5, 2026, the permanent police details provided to former House Presidents Marios Garoyian, Demetris Syllouris, and Yiannakis Omirou, as well as the former First Lady Elsie Christofia, will be withdrawn. Former First Lady Androulla Vassiliou had already voluntarily renounced her assigned police escort earlier this month.

The decision follows an updated risk assessment conducted by the police, which concluded that there is no longer a justification for maintaining permanent security for these individuals. Authorities emphasized that this policy change is based strictly on objective risk analysis rather than the personal or institutional background of the officials. While the current measures affect these specific figures, separate changes are slated for early next year regarding the former President of the Republic, Nikos Anastasiades, whose home static guard will be removed starting in January 2027.