Cyprus airports checking if you have outstanding fines

Police on Monday started checking whether outgoing passengers at Larnaca and Paphos airports have outstanding fines to pay.
Demetris Pitsillides of the administration department art police HQ said that owed sums have already been collected while there has been increased interest from the public to settle outstanding sums.
He said that as of Monday morning the computer systems at departures at the two airports have been connected to police’s mainframe to determine whether travellers owed fines.
He said 16 people have already been caught, 13 at Larnaca airport and three in Paphos. Of the 16 pending fines, 13 were collected on the spot exceeding €2500.
In one case contact was made with a family member who will cover the fine tomorrow, whereas in two other cases family members were to Yermasoyia and Polis Chrysochous police stations and paid the outstanding sums.
“In another five cases warning letters were given for the fines to be settled on their return from abroad. One case involved a person who owed three fines and paid two and was given the opportunity to pay the third on his return since he had shown cooperation,” Pitsillides said.
He said that in other cases, individuals who paid a certain sum were allowed to travel pay the rest on their return.
There were two cases where the legal service had extended execution of the fine decision.
Pitsillides said he hoped for better results, with more people settling their fines at police stations. A similar measure is in force at four police main stations with the public seeking help also being checked.