Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou has ordered the demolition of illegal structures operating on a state-owned coastal plot in Protaras, giving the Famagusta District Administration a 24-hour deadline to restore legality. The decision follows years of inaction and a dispute among authorities over which body held responsibility.
Within one hour yesterday, steps were taken that had remained unresolved for three years. The minister sent a letter to the Famagusta District Administration instructing it to proceed with the demolition of structures erected in 2023 on a coastal state property and currently operating as a massage business and kiosk.
According to the timeline set by Ioannou, a crew from the Famagusta District Administration was expected today to move forward with demolishing the illegal premises, which all authorities acknowledged were unauthorised but for which responsibility had been passed between services.
Three letters in 25 days
It is notable that the Ministry of Interior sent three successive letters to the Famagusta District Administration over the past 25 days, requesting measures to address violations on the coastal state plot, which is leased to the Municipality of Paralimni–Deryneia for an annual rent of €5,000.
According to information obtained by Politis, the first letter was sent on 3 April 2026 and the latest, written in particularly strict terms, was issued yesterday following a front-page report by Politis. The report highlighted confusion among the involved authorities regarding who held legal responsibility for demolishing the illegal structures.
“You have 24 hours”
In his letter, Ioannou gave the Famagusta District Administration 24 hours to restore legality, clarifying that under the applicable legal framework it constitutes the competent authority.
Based on developments, the Famagusta District Administration appears not to have accepted the ministry’s position, which explains why no action had been taken until now. As revealed through correspondence, the administration had initially considered the Municipality of Paralimni responsible and, following the administrative reform, the Famagusta District Local Government Organisation (EOA).
Responsibility of the district officer
In the letter sent yesterday, the Interior Minister made clear that under the current legal framework responsibility for removing illegal constructions within the beach protection zone falls under the authority of the district officer.
“Given the above, as well as the repeated instructions of the Ministry of Interior for immediate measures to address the violations, a clear obligation arises for you to act without delay, since the structure in question falls within the interpretation of the term ‘construction’. We therefore call on you to proceed without delay with the necessary actions for the immediate demolition and removal of the illegal structure, as well as the full restoration of legality within the beach protection zone, within 24 hours of receipt of this letter,” Ioannou stated.
Administrative confusion
Correspondence between the involved authorities reveals considerable confusion over who was responsible for demolishing the illegal structures located within the beach protection zone.
Famagusta District Administration: In a letter dated 13 May 2024, it stated that responsibility fell to the Municipality of Paralimni because the matter related to the Streets and Buildings Regulation Law. In a subsequent letter on 5 December 2024, it said that after the reform the competent authority was the Famagusta EOA.
Municipality of Paralimni: In a letter dated 27 October 2025, the municipality noted that massage services do not fall within the activities it can license and that the business operates within the beach protection zone, where the municipality has no executive authority. It added that any action on its part would lack legal basis and could be considered unfounded and abusive.
Ministry of Interior: On 9 February 2026, letters were sent to both the Municipality of Paralimni and the Famagusta EOA instructing them to take all necessary steps to remove the interventions on the state coastal plot in Protaras.
Municipality of Paralimni: In a reply dated 6 March 2026, the municipality said it had received a legal opinion from its private legal advisers stating that it had no authority to take measures. The opinion noted that for structures within the beach protection zone the competent authority is the district officer under the Beach Protection Law, while for buildings constructed without permits the competent authority is the EOA under the Streets and Buildings Law.
Famagusta EOA: In a letter dated 19 March 2026, it reported that an inspection confirmed the presence of interventions within the beach protection zone and pointed out that under the Beach Protection Law responsibility for removing illegal constructions and shacks within that zone lies with the district officer.
New circular planned
To prevent similar situations in the future, the Ministry of Interior is expected to issue a new circular to municipalities, district local government organisations and district administrations. The circular will clearly define the framework of responsibilities and when each authority has the power to intervene.
Criminal investigation underway
Following a written complaint submitted on 23 December 2025 by the law firm Christakis Th. Christakis LLC, the Attorney General instructed the Chief of Police to investigate the matter, which includes references to possible corruption.
The Criminal Investigation Department at Police Headquarters informed the Ministry of Interior by letter on 18 March 2026 about the complaint and requested that a ministry official provide a written statement together with all relevant correspondence. A ministry official gave a statement on 17 April 2026.
Municipality expresses satisfaction
The Municipality of Paralimni–Deryneia expressed satisfaction with the Interior Minister’s actions, while also expressing regret that some media reports had indirectly suggested that the municipality was responsible for enforcing legality.
The municipality noted that through legal opinions and official correspondence it had repeatedly contacted the relevant departments requesting the immediate implementation of procedures to restore legality.
According to the municipality, the Ministry of Interior has now clearly instructed the Famagusta district officer to proceed with removing the illegal structures, confirming that the matter falls under that authority’s exclusive jurisdiction. The development, the municipality said, fully vindicates its position and handling of the issue.
It added that such accusations create unnecessary delays and waste valuable time that should instead be used for the benefit of residents and the local community, while reaffirming its commitment to the development of the area and the protection of legality.