Defence Ministry backs up spy claim

By Charlie Charalambous

THE DEFENCE Ministry yesterday stood by its claims that British helicopters were warned off as they flew suspiciously low over a sensitive National Guard installation.

The incident reportedly took place last Saturday in the Zygi area of Limassol, when two flares were directed at two bases helicopters thought to be “spying” on an army facility.

But the British firmly deny the claim.

“There was no such episode. No aircraft were airborne from the British bases on the Saturday in question,” bases spokesman Mervyn Wynne Jones told the Cyprus Mail yesterday.

Defence Minister Yiannakis Omirou has, however, given credence to the report on the incident published on the front page of Agon yesterday, confirming that a confrontation did take place.

“It is a fact that an episode between the National Guard and British helicopters happened in the Zygi area. I cannot reveal any further details about the episode for reasons of security,” Omirou said.

It is understood President Clerides has been informed of the incident and a strong worded protest will be delivered to the British authorities.

According to defence sources quoted by Agon, two helicopters were spotted making suspicious movements and photographing National Guard positions.

Two warning flares were launched in their direction and strict orders were given to “act decisively” if the helicopters remained in the area.

Deterred by the flares, the helicopters flew away in the direction of Akrotiri British base, the report said.

The bases nevertheless remain adamant that no such incident took place.

“I have no recollection of any flare ever being fired at any British helicopter in Cyprus,” said Wynne Jones.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.