Cyprus police undergo training on investigating anti-LGBTQI+ hate crimes

Approximately 50 members of the Cyprus Police participated in a three-day training seminar in Nicosia, held from October 14 to October 16, 2026. The program, titled "Policing Racist Crimes against LGBTQI+ – Training for Professional Police Response," was organized in collaboration with the Council of Europe.

The primary instructor for the seminar was Michail Lolis, a Council of Europe expert and officer of the Hellenic Police. The curriculum covered the legal framework regarding hate crimes, techniques for identifying and investigating incidents motivated by bias, proper collection of evidence, and methods for supporting victims. In addition to police officers, the training sessions involved representatives from civil society organizations, legal experts, and psychologists to ensure a comprehensive approach.

The initiative serves to enhance the professional response of law enforcement to crimes driven by prejudice and discrimination. According to official statements, the training is part of ongoing efforts by the Cyprus Police to reinforce professional standards and improve trust between law enforcement agencies and the LGBTQI+ community, with a core focus on protecting human rights during investigations.