Ombudsman calls for action following attacks on food delivery workers in Cyprus

On October 8, 2026, the Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights, Maria Stylianou-Lottidi, expressed deep concern regarding recent violent incidents targeting food delivery workers in Limassol and Larnaca. Reported cases include a recorded assault in Limassol and an incident in Larnaca where masked individuals threatened a worker with a knife to steal his motorcycle.

In an official letter to the Chief of Police, Stylianou-Lottidi acknowledged existing security measures, such as increased patrols and police circulars regarding hate crimes, but emphasized that the persistence of these attacks indicates a need for a systematic evaluation of their effectiveness. The Commissioner specifically requested that investigators examine potential racist motives at the earliest stages of each probe.

This call for action highlights concerns that failing to properly document hate-based motivations in police reports prevents courts from applying Article 35A of the Criminal Code, which would otherwise allow judges to impose stricter sentences. The Commissioner argues that effective documentation is essential to ensure that criminal justice acts as a meaningful deterrent against such violence.