Arrested in Cyprus — Get Urgent Legal Help Now
If you or your client has been arrested at a Cyprus airport or on an extradition warrant, call us immediately. We provide emergency representation at first hearings and bail applications.
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Arrest in Cyprus on an extradition-related matter requires immediate legal action. Whether you have been detained at Larnaca or Paphos airport, arrested at a police station, or received notice that an international warrant has been issued in your name, the first hours and days are critical. Cyprus courts move quickly in extradition cases, and the absence of experienced legal representation at the first hearing can have lasting consequences.
Cyprus Criminal Procedure — Your Rights From Arrest
Cyprus criminal procedure provides specific legal protections from the moment of arrest. These rights are established in the Rights of Persons who are Arrested and Detained Law of 2005 (L.163(I)/2005) and in the Rights of Persons who are Suspected or Accused in Criminal Proceedings Law of 2016 (implementing EU Directive 2012/13/EU). Key rights from the moment of arrest include:
- Right to be informed of the reasons for arrest: In a language you understand, at the earliest opportunity.
- Right to silence: You are not required to answer questions beyond basic identity information. Anything you say can be used against you.
- Right to legal representation: You have the right to contact a lawyer of your choice immediately. If you do not have a lawyer, you can request the duty lawyer. Do not answer substantive questions before your lawyer is present.
- Right to consular notification: If you are a foreign national, you have the right to notify your country’s consulate of your arrest. The consulate can provide a list of local lawyers and observe your case.
- Right to an interpreter: If you do not speak Greek or English, you have the right to a free interpreter during police questioning and court proceedings.
- Right to be brought before a court within 24 hours: Cyprus law prohibits detention beyond 24 hours without a court order. The first court hearing must occur within this period.
The First 24 Hours — Critical Decisions
The first 24 hours after arrest are the most consequential period of any criminal or extradition case. Decisions made — or mistakes made — in this period can significantly affect the entire subsequent proceedings. The most important rule is: say nothing substantive to the police before your lawyer is present. Police interviews are designed to gather evidence — even if you believe you are innocent and want to explain yourself, making statements without legal advice frequently creates problems that are difficult to correct later.
Our lawyers attend police stations in Cyprus the same day for urgent arrest situations. From the moment of instruction, we advise on exactly what to say (and not say) to the police, prepare for the first court hearing, and assess all available legal options — including bail, challenge to the basis of arrest, and the overall criminal defence or extradition strategy.
Arrests in Connection with Foreign Warrants
Many arrests in Cyprus — particularly at airports — occur in connection with foreign extradition warrants or Interpol notices rather than Cyprus criminal offences. If you are arrested in Cyprus on the basis of a foreign request, the legal framework is different from a domestic criminal arrest: the extradition law applies, the bail analysis is different, and the key legal battle is the extradition challenge rather than a domestic criminal defence. Our lawyers are specialists in both criminal defence and extradition law and can provide integrated advice covering all aspects of an arrest with a foreign dimension. For further reading, see our guide on Cyprus criminal defence services.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should provide your basic identity information — name, nationality, date of birth, address — and exercise your right to silence for all other questions. You are not required to answer questions about the alleged offence, your activities, or your financial affairs without a lawyer present. Ask to speak to your lawyer immediately. Do not attempt to explain yourself or correct what you perceive as misunderstandings without legal advice — anything you say can be used as evidence.
Cyprus law requires that a person arrested must be brought before a court within 24 hours. If the police require more time for investigation, they must apply to the court for a detention order extending the period — courts typically grant 8 days for serious cases. After the initial court hearing, further detention must be authorised by the court at regular intervals. Detention cannot be indefinite — at each review, the court assesses whether continued detention is necessary and proportionate.
Yes. If you are arrested in Cyprus — even as a foreign national — Cyprus law applies to your detention and any extradition proceedings. Your Cyprus lawyer manages your bail application, the extradition proceedings in Cyprus courts, and all interactions with Cyprus authorities. Your country’s consulate can observe but cannot provide legal representation. We work with international clients from all countries and can coordinate with lawyers in your home jurisdiction where relevant.
Your family can contact us directly on your behalf — we accept instructions from family members of persons arrested in Cyprus and will attend the detention facility and court as quickly as possible. Family members cannot formally instruct the Cyprus courts on your behalf, but they can engage and communicate with your Cyprus lawyers, assist with surety for bail, and coordinate with your home country’s consulate. We keep family members informed (with your consent) throughout proceedings.
Cyprus has a duty lawyer system through the Cyprus Bar Association, which provides free legal assistance to persons arrested who cannot afford to retain a private lawyer. The duty lawyer is allocated at the police station or court. While the duty lawyer system provides access to legal representation, a specialist in extradition law — which is a highly technical area — will provide significantly more effective representation in extradition-related arrests. We offer emergency initial consultations at reduced cost for clients with genuine financial hardship.
