British authorities have formally asked Cyprus to cooperate in investigating an espionage case involving a 44-year-old Azerbaijani man arrested on 21 June whilst allegedly photographing RAF Akrotiri bases.
The UK submitted its request through Eurojust, the European Union agency for criminal justice cooperation, asking Cyprus to establish a joint investigation team to examine the case further, according to sources.
The request was sent to the attorney general’s office in late October for review and a decision on whether to proceed, the sources said.
British authorities want to investigate the case alongside Cypriot investigators, though the exact reasons have not been disclosed. However, the circumstances suggest heightened British concern over national security.
The suspect, who holds a British passport, allegedly used specialist equipment to photograph RAF Akrotiri, where the Royal Air Force is based. Investigators said he sent encrypted files to another person believed to be his contact, possibly linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Around the time of his arrest, British authorities reportedly detained someone in England they believed was connected to him. British journalists also travelled to Cyprus to investigate the matter.
The 44-year-old faces charges at Limassol Criminal Court including espionage, publishing information about defence installations, entering a prohibited area, and money laundering.
He allegedly used an advanced camera and mobile phones to capture images of RAF Akrotiri and Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos during the period of air and missile strikes between Israel and Iran.
The suspect possessed a Nikon Coolpix P1100 camera with 125x optical zoom and high resolution capabilities. Such cameras are typically used for espionage and surveillance purposes.
He lived in Zakaki, near the RAF bases in Limassol. Authorities received information that he was acting suspiciously on foot near the bases whilst carrying the camera and three mobile phones. Physical surveillance showed him taking photographs with both the professional camera and the mobiles.
On 20 June, prosecutors told the court the suspect had travelled from Limassol to Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos, changing buses twice, then rented a car from Paphos airport. He arrived at the base shortly after US transport aircraft and marines reportedly landed there.
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