Crews from the Famagusta District Administration on Tuesday demolished an illegal structure in Protaras, acting on instructions issued by Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou to restore legality.
The move came just hours after the minister sent a strongly worded letter setting a 24-hour deadline for compliance. The structure, which had been operating as a massage business and kiosk on state-owned coastal land, was dismantled and removed.
Images from the site show the structure being fully taken down, bringing to an end a case that had remained unresolved since 2023, despite the fact that relevant authorities were aware of the unauthorised construction.
The demolition follows weeks of intervention by the Interior Ministry, including a series of letters to the Famagusta District Administration urging action. In his latest communication, Ioannou made clear that responsibility lay with the district authority and set a firm timeline for enforcement.
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Criminal investigation under way
A criminal investigation into the case is ongoing following a written complaint submitted on 23 December 2025 by a law firm. The complaint includes allegations that may point to corruption.
Acting on instructions from the Attorney General, the Chief of Police ordered an investigation into the matter. In a letter dated 18 March 2026, the Police Headquarters’ Criminal Investigation Department informed the Interior Ministry of the complaint and requested a written statement from a competent official, along with all related correspondence. A ministry official provided a statement on 17 April 2026.