Cyprus plans to review protection for politicians by risk level — Cyprus Mail
In Cyprus, existing police protection measures for politicians and former state officials are to be reviewed according to the assessed level of risk. As Cyprus Mail writes, responsibility for determining the number of law enforcement officers for people entitled to such protection is planned to be transferred from the council of ministers to the police.
Review of protection measures
According to the publication, all existing protection measures will be assessed by a police security committee. The size of security teams will be determined based on the assessed threat level for each politician. The Ministry of Justice stated that protection for which the need is not documented will be discontinued or modified.
Cyprus Mail notes that former presidents and former speakers of the House of Representatives previously received police escorts, including for trips and everyday matters. Androulla Vassiliou, the widow of former president Giorgos Vassiliou, said after being notified that police protection would be withdrawn that in her case it was not a matter of security, but of travelling to official events.
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Reduction of escort teams
According to the publication, Androulla Vassiliou and Ersi Christofias will lose their police drivers, while the security teams of former speakers of the House of Representatives will be reduced. At the same time, it remains unclear what decision will be made regarding the 12-member security team for former president Nicos Anastasiades.
Cyprus Mail also drew attention to the fact that House of Representatives Speaker Annita Demetriou has a security team of 10 people. The publication claims that previously the number of security personnel for party leaders was determined with regard to the electoral strength of their political parties.
