Akel urges studies and local consultation over Ayios Sozomenos prison site
Akel and the municipalities of Dali and Latsia-Yeri criticised the planned location of new central prisons in Ayios Sozomenos.
Ayios Sozomenos, Cyprus. Akel on Friday called on the justice ministry to conduct proper studies and consult local authorities before proceeding with plans to locate new central prisons in Ayios Sozomenos. The party said it supported the need for modern prisons but criticised the process used to select the site.
Akel criticism
In a written statement, Akel said the ministry could not decide on the location of such a large project without studies or consultation with local authorities.
The party cited changes to the proposed location as evidence of what it described as a “haphazard decision making process”. It said the site was initially planned for Mathiatis before being moved to Ayios Sozomenos, within the municipal boundaries of Dali, and warned that it could move again.
Akel said local government should not be ignored, particularly during a reform which, it said, the central state should support in practice rather than undermine.
The party called on the government and Justice Minister Costas Fitiris to make a new decision only after completing the necessary studies and consulting affected communities.
Municipal objections
The criticism followed a joint statement issued on Thursday by the municipalities of Dali and Latsia-Yeri, which demanded the immediate reversal of the site decision.
The municipalities said Ayios Sozomenos already hosts extensive industrial and agricultural activity, including livestock waste treatment facilities, quarries and pig farms, as well as an EAC overhead power line.
They also said the area is within land earmarked for livestock farming under a national sector rebuilding plan, which they said should be considered when assessing the site’s suitability.
Ministry decision
The justice ministry announced on Tuesday that it had abandoned plans for Mathiatis in favour of Ayios Sozomenos, citing cost and time considerations.
It said the Ayios Sozomenos site already has access to road, sewage, water and electricity infrastructure.
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