Turkish Cypriot tells police he was told to steal icons

By Aline Davidian

A TURKISH Cypriot was remanded in custody for five days yesterday by the Larnaca District court, suspected of stealing icons and illegally trading in archaeological treasures.

Ali Can, 22, and passenger Halil Kandemir, 22, were arrested on Tuesday after their car with Turkish Cypriot number plates was stopped by police in Larnaca.

Turkish Cypriot press reports said yesterday they had crossed from the occupied Pergamos checkpoint to go to Pyla, and accidentally ended up in Larnaca.

Can was remanded in custody for five days yesterday after Larnaca police found 14 pictures of icons, believed to be stolen from churches in occupied Famagusta, beneath the carpet of the car.

But the Larnaca District court allowed Kandemir to be released as there was insufficient evidence that he was aware of the hidden photographs in the car.

Investigating officer Theodoros Sergiou said that according to Can’s statement to police, a Turkish officer had ordered him to steal a number of icons from churches in occupied Famagusta during his military service in the Turkish Cypriot armed forces. These were to be placed in a museum in the occupied areas, Can told police.

Sergiou said Can had named the Turkish officer as well as a Turkish archaeologist who took the icons and placed them in the occupied Famagusta museum.

Interpol, Sergiou added, had been contacted and would be looking to see whether they had files on the officer or the archaeologist.

In his statement, Can admitted to having a camera in his possession in addition to the photographs, Sergiou said.

He added that Can had also given police details on thefts committed in occupied Famagusta during 1997.

Kandemir told police he knew nothing about the icons.

The investigating officer also said the Archbishopric had been informed of the matter and would inspect the photographs to determine which church the icons had been stolen from, as well as their value.

The possibility of a link between the icons and the ones recently discovered in Munich would also be looked into, Sergiou said.

He did not rule out Greek Cypriot collaboration in the illegal trade of icons, adding investigations would also determine how far Can’s presence in the government controlled area might have been to secure potential buyers.

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