Five elderly Greek Cypriots were arrested in the Turkish-occupied town of Trikomo in northern Cyprus on Saturday, July 19, on charges of espionage, according to Turkish Cypriot media.
The five men and women, refugees from the 1974 Turkish invasion, were visiting their properties in Trikomo. The arrest was officially confirmed by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Theodoros Gotsis, philenews.com reported.
The arrest is seen as a “new provocation” just a few hours before the black 51st anniversary of the Turkish invasion of of the north of Cyprus.
According to Greek state broadcaster ERT, the Greek Cypriots were allegedly collecting information on construction sites located on what Turkish Cypriot authorities claim are “Turkish-owned properties.”
The area is known for illegal developments on Greek Cypriot land.
The arrests come amid heightened tensions, following recent detentions by the Republic of Cyprus of a Turkish Cypriot lawyer and four foreign nationals linked to such projects.
