By Famagusta Gazette
Copyright famagusta-gazette
NICOSIA — The Supreme Constitutional Court of Cyprus has unanimously ruled that Article 25 of the Police Law, which allows authorities to collect DNA and other biometric data from detainees, is fully compatible with the Constitution.
The decision followed a legal challenge by a suspect who refused to provide a DNA sample during detention.
The court found that the law does not permit arbitrary or generalized intrusions into privacy and requires either the suspect’s consent or a court order based on reasonable suspicion and proportionality.
The ruling affirms police authority to collect measurements, photographs, fingerprints and other samples from individuals in custody, and is seen as a significant tool for prosecutors in combating crime.
