The confrontation between the Minister, Marios Hartsiotis and AKEL MPs, Aristos Damianos and Andreas Pasiourtidis, was intense in the Finance Committee of the Parliament during the discussion of the budget of the Ministry of Justice and Public Order.
AKEL Member of Parliament, Andreas Pasiourtidis, criticized the Minister of Justice for the delays in the creation of Juvenile Prisons. "I would be ashamed to bring it (the bill to extend the operation). I congratulate you for bringing it", he said, adding that the Minister "has been trying since 2021 for their creation".
Referring to Central Prisons, Mr Pasiourtidis spoke of a "crime directorate", saying the new mobile disabling system had not yet been installed because some had broken it, while he asked for an explanation of the surveillance law.
In response, Mr. Hartsiotis spoke of "purely pre-election positions" of the two AKEL MPs, adding that he does not intend to comment on them.
Regarding the Juvenile Detention Center, he explained that following a decision by the Council of Ministers, it will be transferred to the existing Center of Menogeia, which will be remodeled to meet European standards.
The project, he said, is directly linked to the Pre-Departure Center of the Lakes, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2026.
"We have foreseen in the 2026 budget half a million euros for the changes in Menogeia. The work will start in the second half of 2026, after the transfer of people to the new Center of the Lakes," he said.
He also said that if they were waiting to find a private investor, they would still be waiting for the juvenile detention center to become a reality.
Mobile deactivation system
Responding to AKEL's criticisms, the Minister of Justice clarified that the phone deactivation system in prisons works normally.
As he said "it has not suffered any damage", to add that "it was just a sensor, worth 10 euros, that was destroyed and replaced".
"I don't know where you're reading this," he said, addressing Pasiourtides, adding: "You spoke in an exaggerated way, you described an incident that is not true at all."
Mr. Pasiourtidis countered by saying that "if you downplay the seriousness of the issues, you will never solve them", with the Minister retorting: "And you cannot touch reality because of the exaggeration that possesses you. All the issues you raised are reduced to the level of exaggeration.''
Damianou: "You are the first Minister who does not respect AKEL"
MP Aristos Damianou then took the floor, protesting the Minister's attitude. “Do you count how many times you have touched us? You said publicly that AKEL is a mud industry! You are the first Minister who does not respect AKEL".
Mr. Hartsiotis replied: "You have also used characterizations for me."
Mr. Damianou replied that all they said is that he is "politically inadequate".
"I think it is inadequacy to look for it in your party, Mr. Damianou. The inadequacy lies in your behavior and the level you bring to this Parliament," said Mr. Hartsiotis.
The tension with Tryfonidis and the intervention of Erotokritos – "Deputies are not spectators or pots"
The session continued with complaints from the MP of DIPA, Alekos Trifonidis, who criticized the Minister for leaving before the debate was finished.
"Mr. Minister, you said to leave earlier. MPs are not spectators or potters here. If only the two major parties have to answer, let us know."
The President of the Finance Committee, Christiana Erotokritou, intervened assuring that a new session will be scheduled with the presence of the Minister, in order to answer the questions of those MPs who did not make it.
No institutional crisis in the Legal Service
The Minister of Justice rejected reports of an institutional crisis in the Legal Service.
"No crisis has occurred. There are some different opinions, but the goal of the Government is unchanging — to promote the reforms mandated by the European institutions," he said.
He noted that "after 65 years we cannot stand still", to add that he does not see any institutional crisis, as AKEL perceives it.
For his part, the deputy of DIKO, Panikos Leonidou, agreed, stating that "DIKO does not detect any institutional crisis in the Legal Service".
