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A Greek Cypriot firefighter was arrested on Thursday by authorities in the Pyla buffer zone, during what was described as a routine inspection visit linked to upcoming summer vegetation clearance works, according to CNA.
The firefighter had entered the buffer zone accompanied by United Nations police officers in order to assess the area for a planned clean-up of dry grass and overgrowth, a common precaution ahead of Cyprus’ hot and dry summer months when fire risk increases.
However, at a certain point inside the restricted area, the group stopped their vehicle in what was described as an unauthorized parking spot.
It was there that “police officers” intervened, halting the UN police escort and proceeding to arrest the firefighter on the spot.
According to the same reports, the firefighter was later taken to the village of Pergamos following the arrest.
The buffer zone, which runs across the divided areas of Cyprus, is jointly monitored under United Nations control, and movement within it is subject to specific procedures and permissions.
The incident highlights the often sensitive and complex nature of activity inside the area, where even routine maintenance or inspection work can quickly escalate into enforcement actions depending on how access rules are interpreted on the ground.
