At Cyprus border and airports, offenders with unpaid fines will be identified

The Cyprus Police announced plans to resume using the “photoradar list” — a list of offenders with unpaid fines recorded by speed cameras. The system will be implemented at airports, ports, and border checkpoints to track individuals who have not paid fines for violations captured by both stationary and mobile cameras.

According to sources from the publication “Phileleftheros,” the new system will allow traffic police officers to identify citizens with outstanding fines during direct interactions, for example when passing exit controls from the country or crossing the buffer zone.

The project had previously faced criticism from parliamentarians. Previously, the police only recommended that citizens check for fines themselves and pay them before the deadline, after which criminal proceedings could be initiated against defaulters. The initiative did not receive parliamentary approval — critics argued that the police lacked legal authority for such actions.

Nevertheless, the police insist that existing legislation allows them to check for unpaid fines in a manner comparable to checking arrest warrants, debts, and other administrative obligations at border controls.

For full implementation, approval from the Commissioner for the Protection of Personal Data is required. Once obtained, staff working at key locations — airports, ports, checkpoints, and all police stations — will have access to the system, enabling them to check fine payment status during any citizen interaction.

If an unpaid fine is discovered during a check, a notice will be immediately issued. This will not restrict travel rights — the notice can be received and the person can continue their journey. This practice also aims to address the accumulation of fines among Turkish Cypriots, as currently buffer zone crossings are not checked and many accumulate tens of thousands of unpaid fines.

The new procedure is expected to come into effect in October, after obtaining all necessary legal approvals and prior public notification.

Thus, the goal of introducing the system is to reduce the number of unpaid fines and increase enforcement efficiency, while prioritizing compliance with data protection regulations and citizens’ rights.