A German national currently detained in Cyprus has brought forth serious accusations regarding mistreatment and inadequate living conditions within the island's Central Prisons. These claims have initiated a judicial review and a formal request for her conditional release. The detainee's legal representative asserts she has experienced "humiliating treatment" for more than eighteen months, making her a central figure in a legal dispute that also raises concerns about the correctional facility's welfare protocols.
The case was presented before the Nicosia Criminal Court on Monday, where legal counsel Sotiris Argyrou detailed his client’s alleged suffering. Although the German national faces charges of property appropriation in the occupied northern territories, the circumstances of her incarceration have now become the primary focus. Mr. Argyrou's plea for his client's liberation outlined stringent conditions, including accommodation in a nearby hotel, a substantial financial guarantee of up to €600,000, daily police reporting, and the surrender of her travel documents.
Crucially, allegations centre on the prolonged denial of essential prescribed medication. Mr. Argyrou stated his client has been without this vital medicine since December 2024, despite its availability in Cyprus since the previous November. While the medication was administered sporadically in November and December, it was reportedly discontinued in January, only to be reinstated this past week after persistent defence correspondence. Adding a deeply disturbing element, the detainee allegedly discovered a rodent's head in her food during her detention. Following this unsettling incident, she purportedly faced threats, and her request to provide a statement outside the prison was denied. Furthermore, her subsequent requests for a restricted diet of yogurt and vegetables were reportedly disregarded, unlike accommodations provided to other inmates.
In response to these grave assertions, the court has mandated written testimonies from both the detainee and Central Prisons concerning her confinement conditions. This judicial directive highlights the court's serious consideration of the allegations, seeking a comprehensive, documented account. The prosecution is expected to submit its own written statements from Central Prisons, presenting the facility's perspective.
These revelations coincide with the recent publication of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) report on Central Prisons in April 2025. While the report's specific findings related to this individual case remain undisclosed, its existence suggests ongoing scrutiny of Cypriot prison conditions. Mr. Argyrou has reportedly contacted various authorities, including the Commissioner for Administration, referencing the CPT's findings in his communications regarding his client's grievances.
The German detainee presently remains in custody. The Nicosia Criminal Court's decision to await written testimonies indicates a methodical approach to resolving these complex issues. The outcome will not only affect the detainee's immediate future but could also prompt necessary reforms within the Cypriot correctional system, ensuring prisoners' fundamental rights and dignity are upheld.