Larnaca, Cyprus. A police officer was remanded for four days on Friday after being arrested for allegedly giving his mobile phone to a detainee while on guard duty in Larnaca. The arrest is linked to an investigation into a shooting in central Larnaca earlier this month.
Arrest and court proceedings
The officer was arrested on Thursday evening and appeared before Larnaca district court on Friday morning. His defence attorney opposed the prosecution’s request for detention and argued that the proceedings should be public to address issues affecting all citizens.
The court ruled the case would be heard behind closed doors under article 12, which protects the official duties of service members.
Allegations under investigation
Police said the officer is under investigation for abuse of power, fraud, transporting a mobile phone into detention facilities, dereliction of duty, bribery and corruption.
Legislation on mobile phones in prisons
The case comes after the House plenum on Thursday approved legislation to criminalise the possession and use of mobile phones in the central prisons.
Under amendments to the prisons law, the offences are punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of €6,000, or both, for anyone, including detainees and members of the public. Stricter sanctions apply to prison staff, who face up to three years’ imprisonment, a fine of €10,000, or both.
The law also covers possession, trafficking, import or export of other prohibited items or substances.
What impact do you think the new prisons law will have on preventing prohibited items from entering detention facilities?
