Newsroom
Authorities in the Republic of Cyprus are scrambling to secure the release of a Greek Cypriot man being held in the occupied north after he was detained while collecting wild asparagus near the buffer zone, according to the Cyprus News Agency.
The man has been held since Tuesday in the Gerolakko area, where he was stopped near the green line. Officials say efforts are underway to have him released as soon as possible, describing his detention as illegal.
According to police reports, the man was intercepted near the village of Gerolakkos, west of Nicosia, around 4 p.m. on Tuesday. A search of his vehicle reportedly uncovered 16 shotgun cartridges, which authorities say originated from government-controlled areas.
The man was first brought before a so-called military court for allegedly entering a restricted military area and later appeared before a court in occupied Nicosia. Prosecutors told the court they intend to charge him with entering a restricted area and the illegal possession and transport of explosives. Judge Sevket Gazi approved a request for pre-trial detention, ordering him held for up to four days while the investigation continues.
Authorities in the occupied north requested that he remain in custody to ensure he appears for future proceedings. Meanwhile, the Republic of Cyprus has taken diplomatic and legal steps to secure his swift release, emphasizing that his detention is illegal.
