Cyprus unionist petitions Supreme Court to indict five state officials

George Maltezos, a prison officer and member of the Equality Union, has filed a petition with the Supreme Court of Cyprus seeking an indictment against five state officials. The officials named include the Minister of Justice and Public Order and the Deputy Director of the Prisons Department.

The petition alleges offenses under Law 30(III)/1995, which implements International Labour Organization Convention 135 regarding the protection of workers' representatives. The legal action follows a decision by the Nicosia District Court on July 1, 2026, which refused to register the indictment on the grounds that the Republic of Cyprus is not considered a legal entity or organization under the specific definition of Article 6(2).

The Equality Union argues that this ruling leaves the state, as the country's largest employer, exempt from laws designed to protect unionists from anti-union retaliation. The union has previously raised concerns regarding overcrowding, drug trafficking, and understaffing within central prisons, as well as allegations of harassment and the misuse of hierarchical authority.