New laws in Cyprus will give police more power to listen to phone calls. The government wants these laws quickly. Some opposition parties are worried about this. A committee looked at the proposed laws on Wednesday. More meetings are planned for next Friday.
The Justice Ministry is leading this change. Minister Costas Fytris said the laws will help protect the country. The Attorney General, Giorgos Savvides, said the laws are needed for safety. He said criminals are moving large amounts of money. Police need better tools to fight crime and threats. These new laws will help them do this.
The new laws will allow police to get court orders for more crimes. These include murder, human trafficking, child abuse, and cybercrimes. They will also help with illegal immigration and drug trafficking. The Attorney General must agree to listen to calls about state security. For other crimes, police need a court order.
The laws include important protections. Anyone caught doing illegal surveillance will go to prison for ten years. A special committee will watch to make sure rules are followed. Phone companies must keep records of all intercepted calls. This will create a clear record.
However, some people are still critical. The main opposition party, AKEL, has concerns. They are worried about the Attorney General's power to approve surveillance for state security. Debates will continue about balancing safety and people's rights. The next meeting should finish the laws.