Cyprus Attorney‑General Warns Proposed Public Prosecutor Reform Could Face Constitutional Challenge

Attorney‑General George Savvides cautioned that the government’s plan to split his office and create an independent public prosecutor could be struck down by the Supreme Constitutional Court. Four of seven constitutional experts reviewing the draft bills have already deemed the amendments unconstitutional. The proposal would appoint both the attorney‑general and the new public prosecutor for eight‑year, non‑renewable terms, establish an independent Legal Service with a director‑general and a prosecutorial council, and require a deputy public prosecutor from the Turkish‑Cypriot community. Justice Minister Costas Fitiris said the government would proceed, citing models from the UK, Ireland and Malta, while the Bar Association and civil‑service unions urged transparency. If the legislation passes, defendants could challenge it, potentially forcing the new structures to be dismantled.