Authorities in the Republic of Cyprus are taking steps to secure the release of a Greek Cypriot man who is being held in the occupied north over an alleged breach of a prohibited military zone, according to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).
The man had been gathering wild greens near the buffer zone in the Gerolakkos area and has been held since Tuesday, CNA reported, adding that efforts are under way to secure his release as soon as possible.
Turkish Cypriot media reports said the man was first brought before a “military court” on charges of entering a “military zone” and later appeared before a “court” in occupied Nicosia on suspicion of “illegal transport and possession of explosives”.
According to those reports, 16 hunting cartridges (12-gauge) originating from the government-controlled areas were found in his vehicle.
The “police” requested that he be remanded in custody as a guarantee for his future court appearance. He was ordered to be held in “central prisons” in the occupied areas for up to four days pending completion of the investigation.
