Greek Cypriots arrested in to remain in custody for 13 more days

The five Greek Cypriots who were arrested on suspicion of espionage in the north last month in the early hours of Saturday morning learned that they will remain in custody for 13 more days.

The decision to extend the five’s remands was announced the end of a marathon court session which had begun at 10am on Friday.

They had been held in custody since their arrest on July 19, and were brought before the military court to answer accusations that one of them had entered the north illegally two days prior to their arrest, and that the other four had aided and abetted that alleged illegal entry.

The prosecution had demanded that all five be ordered to remain in custody for a period not exceeding three months pending a trial, with two of the five already having been handed such a remand in a civilian court in Trikomo on Thursday, while the defence argued that the remaining three should be released on bail.

They will now be held in the north’s central prison, near the Nicosia district village of Neo Chorio, until their next court date.

More to follow…