Crime in Cyprus

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View of the Central prison of Nicosia, the only prison in Republic of Cyprus.

Crime in Cyprus is governed by the legal framework of the Cypriot Penal Code and other relevant legislation. The crime landscape in Cyprus includes various types of offenses, with particular emphasis on financial crime, internet fraud, forgery,[1] drug-related offenses, and human trafficking.[2][3]

In 2023, according to Global Finance Magazine, Cyprus ranks 13th in their "Safest Countries in the World" list, highlighting its overall low levels of crime, including violent crime, making it one of the safer nations globally.[4]

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Main article: Judiciary of Cyprus

The legal proceedings in Cyprus are primarily governed by the Cypriot Penal Code and other legislative instruments. When a crime is reported, the police conduct a preliminary investigation to gather evidence and determine the nature of the offense. Prosecutors, who are part of an independent judiciary, decide whether to bring charges based on the evidence collected. Suspects have the right to legal representation and can request further investigations if necessary. The core criminal law in Cyprus is codified in the section 154 (Κεφ. 154) of Cyprus' Penal Code , which sets out general principles of criminal liability and specific offences (e.g. homicide, forgery, theft). Consolidated Greek-language versions are published on CyLaw, the official legal database of the Republic of Cyprus.[5][6]

Confidence in the criminal justice system

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In 2024 the Cyprus criminal justice system ranks 24th globally out of 140 jurisdictions, as evaluated by the World Justice Project.[7][3]

Crime types

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According to recent data, Cyprus experiences relatively low levels of violent crime, with property crimes such as burglary and theft being more common. In 2022, there were notable efforts to combat human trafficking, resulting in several arrests and convictions. The overall crime rate in Cyprus has been stable, with some fluctuations in specific crime categories.

Cybercrime

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Cyprus Police has reorganised its Crime Combating Department and created the Sub-Directorate of Electronic Crime (Υποδιεύθυνση Ηλεκτρονικού Εγκλήματος, Υ.Η.Ε.).[8] The dedicated portal CyberAlert.CY publishes regular warnings on prevalent online scams and disinformation, and provides contact details for the unit.[9][10] Citizens can also submit tips/complaints about electronic crime through the gov.cy service.[11] For general online safety support, the national Helpline 1480 offers guidance to youths, parents and educators.[12]

Domestic and gender-based violence

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In 2021, Cyprus adopted a comprehensive law on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Law 115(Ι)/2021), aligning national legislation with the Istanbul Convention.[13] Key victim-support services include the 24/7 Helpline 1440 operated by SPAVO and the Σπίτι της Γυναίκας (House for Women), a one-stop centre launched in March 2022 to provide multi-agency support in Nicosia.[14][15] The national strategy on gender equality (2024–2026) and related initiatives reinforce inter-agency cooperation and victim protection.[16]

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The Cyprus Drug Law Enforcement Unit (ΥΚΑΝ) reports frequent large cannabis seizures; law enforcement notes parcels/couriers and the postal service as recurring entry vectors besides airports.[17][18][19]

Financial crimes

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Financial crimes, including fraud and money laundering, are significant concerns in Cyprus due to its role as a financial hub. The country has faced scrutiny for its involvement in various financial malpractices.

Cyprus has been a critical node in the financial network for Russian oligarchs and business entities. During the Cypriot financial crisis in 2013, it was revealed that Cypriot banks held a significant amount of Russian money, estimated to be around $31 billion. The involvement of Cyprus in laundering money for Russian entities has been a persistent issue, leading to international scrutiny and calls for reform. One of the most prominent cases involving Cyprus is the Magnitsky Scandal, where a significant portion of a $230 million Russian tax fraud was laundered through Cypriot banks. This case gained international attention after Sergei Magnitsky, a Moscow-based lawyer, exposed the fraud and subsequently died in a Russian prison. The scandal led to the passage of the U.S. Magnitsky Act, which targets human rights offenders with sanctions.[20] In 2023, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides invited officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Department of Justice to assist with investigations into allegations that Cypriot financial service providers had helped Russian oligarchs skirt international sanctions. In 2024, the United States and Cyprus, signed a deal to fight money laundering.[21]

In 2023 Cyprus has been implicated in a major money laundering investigation involving BNP Paribas and a Cypriot brokerage firm, with suspicious financial flows amounting to over €220 million between 2019 and 2021.[22]

The 2022 Council of Europe's Moneyval report highlights that while Cyprus has made progress in combating money laundering and terrorism financing, several challenges remain. The country has improved its compliance with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards, but further efforts are needed to fully implement measures, particularly in the non-profit and virtual asset service provider sectors.[23]

Cyprus Golden Passport Scandal

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Main article: Cyprus Papers

The "golden passport" scheme in Cyprus has been widely criticized and exposed for its potential for abuse. The program allowed individuals to obtain Cypriot citizenship in exchange for significant investments, which attracted many high-net-worth individuals, including those with dubious backgrounds.

In 2020 Al Jazeera released an undercover investigation revealing that high-ranking Cypriot officials, including the then House president Demetris Syllouris and former MP Christakis Giovani, were willing to assist a fictitious Chinese investor with a criminal past in acquiring a Cypriot passport. The scandal led to the resignation of the implicated officials and the subsequent cancellation of the citizenship-by-investment program.[24]

An inquiry led by former judge Myron Nicolatos found that the government had illegally granted over half of the 6,779 passports issued between 2007 and 2020, often bypassing due diligence procedures. The scheme, which generated over €8 billion, was criticized for allowing individuals under criminal investigation or international sanctions to obtain Cypriot citizenship.[25]

Anti-money-laundering

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Moneyval noted that, in 2024-2025, Cyprus had a closer cooperation with the United States (incl. FBI support) and steady progress.[26][27][28][29]

Human trafficking

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Cyprus implements a dedicated national strategy and action plan to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings and protect victims (2023–2026), while an official evaluation report covers implementation for 2019–2022.[30][31]

Irregular migration & smuggling

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Police operations and policy measures have focused on reducing irregular arrivals (including via the Green Line) and increasing returns; in 2024 authorities reported about 4,800 arrivals and 6,800 returns.[32] In 2025, 300 Contract Special Police Officers (ΣΕΑ) were hired for tasks related to migration flows management.[33] Police press releases regularly document dismantling of smuggling networks and coordinated returns.[34]

Crime statistics

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Official statistical releases and police data indicate that the serious crime index (δείκτης σοβαρού εγκλήματος) rose to 584 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022 (from 501 in 2021), with property offences the largest share of serious crime (c.~40%).[35][36] The Cyprus Police statistics portal provides series and downloads by offence category and year.[37] However, data from the Cyprus Statistical Service indicates that the overall crime rate in Cyprus has seen an increase, but the nature of the crimes is predominantly non-violent, with property-related offenses leading the statistics.[38]

Incarceration rate

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The incarceration rate in Cyprus is 103 per 100,000 population.[39]

Cyprus operates a single prison (Nicosia Central Prisons). Overcrowding and related issues have been highlighted by the Council of Europe’s CPT during visits in 2023 and 2025, prompting the government to announce measures aimed at reducing the prison population (e.g., a 30% reduction target announced in September 2024).[40][41][42] CyStat’s Cyprus in Figures 2024 provides recent prison population snapshots for context.[43]

Council of Europe's recommendations

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In 2023 the Council of Europe's Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) recommended that the Cypriot authorities ensure that foreign nationals are able to progress through their sentences similarly to Cypriot prisoners. This includes the ability to transfer to open prisons and be considered for early release, adhering to the principle of non-discrimination in line with international standards. The CPT advised the Cypriot authorities to enhance support for foreign nationals in the Central Jail of Nicosia by appointing a dedicated foreign national liaison officer, providing written information on prisoner rights, obligations, and house rules upon admission in the most commonly spoken languages and in accessible formats, including systematic information on immigration procedures and ensuring access to interpretation services for foreign national prisoners when needed. This recommendation followed the finding that the Nicosia prison population contained 53.4% foreign inmates, including around 13% who had been arrested for holding false papers.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Criminality in Cyprus". ocindex.net. January 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-13.
  2. ^ "Crime per capita rises two years running". cyprus-mail.com. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  3. ^ a b c "Cyprus: visit 2023". hudoc.cpt.coe.int (Council of Europe. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  4. ^ "Top 100 Safest Countries In The World". Global Finance Magazine. January 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  5. ^ "Ο περί Ποινικού Κώδικα Νόμος (ΚΕΦ.154)". CyLaw (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  6. ^ "Τομέας Ποινικού Δικαίου – Ποινικός Κώδικας Κεφ. 154". Νομική Υπηρεσία Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  7. ^ "World Justice Project – Rankings 2024". worldjusticeproject.org. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
  8. ^ "Τμήμα Καταπολέμησης Εγκλήματος – Δημιουργία Υποδιεύθυνσης Ηλεκτρονικού Εγκλήματος". Αστυνομία Κύπρου (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  9. ^ "CyberAlert.CY – Αρχική". Υποδιεύθυνση Ηλεκτρονικού Εγκλήματος (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  10. ^ "CyberAlert.CY – Επικοινωνία". Υποδιεύθυνση Ηλεκτρονικού Εγκλήματος (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  11. ^ "Υποβολή πληροφορίας/καταγγελίας για θέματα ηλεκτρονικού εγκλήματος". Gov.cy (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  12. ^ "Helpline 1480 – Cyber Safety". Κέντρο για την Ασφαλή Διακίνηση στο Διαδίκτυο Κύπρου (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  13. ^ "Ο περί της Πρόληψης και της Καταπολέμησης της Βίας κατά των Γυναικών και της Ενδοοικογενειακής Βίας και περί Συναφών Θεμάτων Νόμος του 2021". CyLaw (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  14. ^ "Γραμμή Βοήθειας 1440". ΣΠΑΒΟ (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  15. ^ "Σπίτι της Γυναίκας – Εγκαίνια 3 Μαρτίου 2022". Συμβουλευτική Επιτροπή για την Πρόληψη και Καταπολέμηση της Βίας στην Οικογένεια (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  16. ^ "Εθνική Στρατηγική για την Ισότητα των Φύλων 2024–2026" (PDF). Επίτροπος Ισότητας των Φύλων (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  17. ^ "«Πνίγηκε» στην κάνναβη η Κύπρος: 588 κιλά σε <8 μήνες – πού εστιάζει η ΥΚΑΝ". Φιλελεύθερος (PhileNews) (in Greek). 18 August 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  18. ^ "Εντοπισμός και κατάσχεση πέραν των 22 κιλών ναρκωτικών – επιχειρήσεις ΥΚΑΝ". Cyprus Police News (in Greek). 20 August 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  19. ^ "Μεγάλη επιχείρηση της ΥΚΑΝ – εντοπίστηκαν δεκάδες κιλά". Η Καθημερινή Κύπρου (in Greek). 2025-08-03. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  20. ^ "How Cyprus rose to become the beating heart of the Putin regime's shadow financial system". icij.org. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  21. ^ "US and Cyprus will sign a deal to fight money laundering and evasion of Russian sanctions". ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 2024-06-06.
  22. ^ "BNP Paribas caught up in Cyprus-related money laundering investigation". euronews.com. 27 December 2023. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  23. ^ "MONEYVAL report on Cyprus: improvements on measures to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism". Council of Europe. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  24. ^ "The Cyprus Papers". Al Jazeera. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  25. ^ "Cyprus abolishes citizenship through investment programme". Al Jazeera. 13 October 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  26. ^ "Ξέπλυμα χρήματος: Συμφωνία Κύπρου με ΗΠΑ – Συνεργασία Αστυνομίας με FBI". ToThemaOnline (in Greek). 26 March 2024. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  27. ^ "Βελτιώνεται η Κύπρος διαπιστώνει η MONEYVAL". InBusinessNews/Reporter (in Greek). 2 May 2024. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  28. ^ "MONEYVAL: Έκθεση Παρακολούθησης για την Κύπρο – Ιούνιος 2025". Council of Geopolitical Cyprus (σύνοψη ελληνικά) (in Greek). 23 June 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  29. ^ "Cyprus – MONEYVAL Jurisdiction page (follow-up changes 2025)". Council of Europe – MONEYVAL. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  30. ^ "Στρατηγική και Εθνικό Σχέδιο Δράσης κατά της Εμπορίας Προσώπων 2023–2026". Υπουργείο Εσωτερικών (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  31. ^ "Έκθεση Αξιολόγησης Εθνικού Σχεδίου Δράσης 2019–2022 (PDF)" (PDF). Gov.cy (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  32. ^ "Μεταναστευτικό: Έφτασαν Κύπρο 4.800 μετανάστες, απελάθηκαν 6.800 το 2024". SigmaLive (in Greek). 26 August 2024. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  33. ^ "Ανακοίνωση για τους 300 Συμβασιούχους Ειδικούς Αστυνομικούς (ΣΕΑ)". Υπουργείο Δικαιοσύνης και Δημοσίας Τάξεως (in Greek). 21 May 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  34. ^ "Αρχείο Δελτίων Τύπου". Αστυνομία Κύπρου (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  35. ^ "Εγκληματολογικές στατιστικές 2022". Gov.cy (in Greek). 23 February 2024. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  36. ^ "Αυξήθηκε ο δείκτης εγκληματικότητας στην Κύπρο το 2022 – Στην πρώτη θέση τα αδικήματα κατά περιουσιών". Η Καθημερινή Κύπρου (in Greek). 23 February 2024. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  37. ^ "Στατιστικά Στοιχεία – Αστυνομία Κύπρου". Αστυνομία Κύπρου (in Greek). Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  38. ^ "The crime rate has increased in Cyprus: What do the figures say for 2022/". cyprus-digest.com. Retrieved 2024-06-05.
  39. ^ Highest to Lowest – Prison Population Rate. From World Prison Brief
  40. ^ "Χαρτσιώτης: Μέτρα μείωσης υπερπληθυσμού φυλακών κατά 30% μέχρι τον Οκτώβριο". Η Καθημερινή Κύπρου (in Greek). 9 September 2024. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  41. ^ "Council of Europe anti-torture Committee visits Cyprus (April 2025)". Council of Europe – CPT. 7 April 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  42. ^ "Council of Europe anti-torture Committee holds high-level talks in Cyprus (June 2025)". Council of Europe – CPT. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  43. ^ "Cyprus in Figures 2024 (PDF)" (PDF). Στατιστική Υπηρεσία Κύπρου (in Greek). 14 January 2024. Retrieved 2025-09-03.

External resources

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