British man arrested for alleged terrorism offence and spying on RAF base in Cyprus

A British man has been arrested in Cyprus on suspicions of espionage and terrorism-related offenses. According to local media reports, he is accused of surveilling the RAF Akrotiri base, which is the UK's primary airbase for military operations in the Middle East. The arrest took place on Friday following intelligence indicating that he was planning an imminent terrorist attack. The suspect appeared before a district court the following day, where the court ordered an eight-day detention to facilitate ongoing inquiries. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the case, citing national security concerns, but it has been reported that the man was living in a flat in Zakaki, Limassol, in close proximity to the airbase. He was allegedly seen near the base with a long lens camera and multiple mobile phones, raising suspicions about his activities.

In addition to the surveillance of RAF Akrotiri, the suspect is also believed to have monitored the Cyprus Andreas Papandreou airbase in Paphos since mid-April. While initial reports suggested that the man might be of Azerbaijani descent, the UK Foreign Office confirmed that they are engaging with Cypriot authorities regarding the arrest of a British national. This incident comes at a time when security at RAF bases is under increased scrutiny, particularly following a recent protest by Palestine Action activists who managed to breach the security of the Brize Norton base in Oxfordshire, causing damage to military aircraft. RAF Brize Norton is a key hub for UK strategic air transport and refueling operations, including flights to RAF Akrotiri, making the heightened security concerns particularly relevant in light of this arrest.