North demands return of Turkish national

The breakaway regime’s ‘foreign ministry’ on Thursday demanded the swift return of a Turkish national still being held in the south after he allegedly attempted to illegally cross into the south.

In a statement, the ‘foreign ministry’ went on to describe as inhumane the state of the Turkish national who, based on since-published photographs, appears to have been beaten by the Greek Cypriot officer or officers who arrested him.

On Thursday the man, aged 60, appeared in a court in the south, where he faces charges of illegal entry into the Republic of Cyprus and resisting arrest. A decision has been taken to deport the man, the same statement said.

The Turkish national complained in court that he was roughed up, and the court ordered that authorities look into his allegations. He is to be detained until the complaint is investigated.

The north’s foreign ministry’ said it expected the Greek Cypriot police officer to be punished for his behaviour, and demanded that the Turkish national be handed over to Turkish Cypriot authorities after the conclusion of the court process.

Hakki Onen, one of the two team leaders of the bi-communal Technical Committee on Crime and Criminal matters, told daily Kibris the incident took place on Thursday, August 31 at the Ledra Palace crossing point in Nicosia.

The Turkish national was together with his Turkish-Cypriot son-in-law as they sought to cross over into the south on their bicycles.

The son-in-law was allowed through, but not the Turkish man, who nevertheless crossed.

Police gave chase and apprehended the man near the Paphos Gate.

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