A British man has been arrested in Cyprus on suspicion of spying and terror-related offences. The BBC understands he is thought to have carried out surveillance for Iran on the RAF Akrotiri base on the island. Local media say he is of Azerbaijani descent and has connections to Iran's Revolutionary Guards. He appeared in a district court earlier on Saturday and was detained for a further eight days. The Foreign Office said it was in contact with Cypriot authorities. RAF Akrotiri is the UK's most significant base in the region and has previously been used to help defend Israeli skies from attack by Iran. Last week, it was announced that further planes would be sent there to protect existing UK assets. In a statement, the UK Foreign Office said: "We are in contact [with] the authorities in Cyprus regarding the arrest of a British man." The statement was provided to the BBC following a question regarding reports in Cypriot media about the counter-terror arrest. Police on the island said a man had been arrested on suspicion of terror-related offences and espionage. They said they would not say more for reasons of national security. Cyprus's ANT1 news outlet said the suspect was thought to have had RAF Akrotiri under surveillance, as well as Cyprus's own Andreas Papandreou Air Base in the western region of Paphos since mid-April. RAF Akrotiri is home to fast jets, reconnaissance, transport and refuelling aircraft.
British man arrested in Cyprus suspected of spying and terror offences
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"British Man Arrested in Cyprus on Espionage and Terrorism Charges"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
A British national has been apprehended in Cyprus on allegations of espionage and involvement in terror-related activities. The individual is believed to have conducted surveillance operations targeting the RAF Akrotiri military base, a crucial facility for the UK located on the island. Reports indicate that the suspect is of Azerbaijani descent and has connections to Iran's Revolutionary Guards. Following his arrest, he appeared in a district court where he was remanded for an additional eight days. The UK Foreign Office confirmed that they are in communication with Cypriot authorities regarding the situation, emphasizing the importance of the matter and its implications for national security.
RAF Akrotiri is the UK’s most significant military base in the region, serving as a strategic asset in defense operations, including previous missions to protect Israel from Iranian threats. This recent incident comes shortly after announcements of increased military support to the base, including the deployment of additional aircraft. Local media sources have reported that the suspect may have been monitoring not only RAF Akrotiri but also the Andreas Papandreou Air Base in Paphos since mid-April. The Cypriot police have refrained from providing further details about the arrest, citing concerns related to national security. As investigations continue, the case is expected to draw attention to the broader geopolitical tensions in the region and the security measures in place at military installations.
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