Justice Minister Costas Fitiris on Thursday inspected progress on construction works at the pre-departure migrant detention centre in Limnes, as well as the existing migrant detention facilities in Menoyia.

According to a statement from the justice ministry, the minister was briefed by officials on the progress of the works and the project’s completion timetable.

Once the new centre in Limnes is completed, detainees currently held at the Menoyia facility will be transferred to the new, modern premises.

The Menoyia facilities are expected to be repurposed to create a detention space for minors, with specially designed infrastructure to accommodate juvenile holding cells and correctional facilities.

At the same time, the justice minister is examining alternative ways to utilise the premises as part of a broader effort to strengthen correctional infrastructure and ease overcrowding at Nicosia central prisons.

Upgrading the country’s correctional infrastructure remains a key priority for the state, the ministry added, with the aim of developing a more modern, functional and effective system that safeguards security, legality and respect for rights.