A knife is an everyday life tool that all of us use not only for food but for activities like arts and crafts, construction, fishing, hunting or decoration. To regulate this widespread use, the law of Cyprus has categorized certain knife uses as criminal offences and deems some types of knives as illegal under the Cyprus Penal Code carrying fines or even jail time.
So, what are the criminal offences regarding knives?
1) Double-edged knives including swords
Regarding double-edged knives, it is a crime to
import them,
sell them,
display them for selling, or
carry them outside of your residence or yard.
Sentence: 1-2 years imprisonment (or any lesser sentence that the court sees fit)
2) Knives outside of your residence
It is a crime to carry both pointed and not pointed knives outside your residence or yard.
Sentences for a knife that is not pointed: (maximum) 1 year imprisonment
Sentence for a knife that is pointed: (minimum) 6 months - (maximum) 1 year imprisonment
3) Knives in festivities, establishments and stores.
It is a crime to carry a pointed knife in weddings, fairs, brothels or bar/liquor stores.
Sentence: 1-2 years imprisonment (or any lesser sentence that the court sees fit)
4) Locking knives
It is a crime to carry a folding knife that transforms through a spring or any other mechanism into a double-edged knife or into a knife with a fixed blade that locks in position. These knives fall under the categories and sentences listed earlier.
If you are found guilty of any of these crimes, any knife that was linked to them will be confiscated!
Of course, simply carrying or using a knife does not make you a criminal! Here is what the law allows regarding knives:
1) Small Folding Knives
a) It is legal to carry a knife that:
folds, but does not lock,
has a blade up to 4 inches, and
is not pointed.
b) It is legal to carry a knife that
folds, but does not lock,
has a blade up to 2.5 inches, and
is pointed.
2) Knives and double-edged knives with a reasonable purpose
Decorative knives
Knives of a collective or archaeological character
Knives dedicated by design or its nature for domestic, professional, educative, sports use or for hunting, fishing and other associated activities
Knives that are part of the uniform of any Armed Forces that are legally in Cyprus
Any other reasonable excuse that you were carrying the knife for a legal purpose
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