Cyprus ministers agree on reforms for forensic services and psychiatric care

On September 25, 2026, the Cypriot Ministers of Justice and Public Order, Costas Fytiris, and Health, Neofytos Charalambidis, held a joint meeting to address systemic inefficiencies in police operations, forensic services, and psychiatric patient management. Current issues included long delays in forensic examinations, the concentration of all autopsies in Nicosia, and the practice of keeping psychiatric patients in police cars while awaiting medical attention.

The ministers announced a series of corrective measures, including the creation of specialized spaces in emergency departments for prisoners, priority medical examinations, and a legislative review to modernize laws concerning coroners and psychiatric care. Furthermore, the government committed to the gradual reopening of provincial morgues in Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos to avoid risks associated with transporting remains to the capital.

These decisions follow previous discussions regarding the negative impact of current procedures on human rights and operational efficiency. The legislative commissioner, Sofia Kleopa Hadjikyriakou, also attended the meeting. The implementation of these reforms aims to reduce police personnel burden and improve the quality of medical and forensic services provided to citizens and detainees alike.