Russian held for taking pictures in north released on bail

A Russian tourist holidaying in Ayia Napa, arrested for taking photographs in the north was released on bail by a Turkish military court on Thursday.

Ayia Napa police say Roman Krasnikov sent a text message his 28-year-old wife, also a tourist from Russia staying at the resort, informing her of his arrest by in the north at around 8pm on Monday.

Krasnikov who was visiting Famagusta faces up to five years in jail if found guilty of photographing a military zone after he was caught taking snaps of the closed military area of Varosha from the nearby Palm Beach hotel.

Turkish Cypriot police told a court that it was the man’s first visit to the north and that they had arrested him as he tried to photograph the closed area of Famagusta which has been under the control of the Turkish military since the 1974 invasion.

An officer in charge of the investigation said the man ignored signs in place warning the area is a military zone and clearly stating not to take pictures.

Roman Krasnikov told the court through an interpreter that he was unaware that photographing the fenced-off area was illegal and that his visit was to view the historic sites.

The judge in setting bail at €1,500 stipulated the 32-year-old remain in the north.

 

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