Minister determined to put drunk drivers behind bars

POLICE will continue to arrest drunk drivers, the Justice Minister announced yesterday, though violators will be detained only in exceptional circumstances until the law is amended.

Sophoclis Sophocleous, along with Communications Minister Harris Thrassou, met yesterday with the Attorney-general to discuss altering the law in a way that would allow the detention of drunk drivers until the morning after their arrest.

After the meeting, Thrassou said that any legal amendments would be “constitutional and with respect towards human rights”.

Sophocleous added that the two ministers would now inform the Cabinet and President Tassos Papadopoulos on the meeting’s outcome, which will be followed by lengthy discussions at Parliament.

“Arrests will continue to take place and of course, detentions will cease to take place, except for extreme situations,” said Sophocleous, adding that “nothing will change until legislation is altered”.

The Justice Minister pointed out that effectiveness was one thing and legality another, “but both must co-exist”.

Asked how long he thought it would take for the law to be amended, Sophocleous said it would take “as much time as needed, so that the desired aims and results are reached, always taking into consideration constitutional provisions and Cyprus Law”.

But Thrassou pointed out that there were a number of unconstitutional elements in the proposed bills.

“You understand that for us, the Constitution is our Gospel and the Attorney-general’s opinions bind us too, and along with the Justice Minster, we respect and adopt the Attorney-general’s suggestions.”

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