Greek Cypriot police officers released on bail

ISTANBUL

Hürriyet Photo

Three Greek Cypriot police officers were released on bail by a court today after being detained by security forces on charges of violating the border with Turkish Cyprus, daily Milliyet reported.

A group of Greek Cypriots staged a protest at the Metehan Border Gate, saying they would not leave until the officers were freed.

The officers were detained yesterday after crossing the border without permission while pursuing a 19-year-old Turkish man, Coşkun Alaslan, on suspicions of smuggling.

It was the first time Greek Cypriot police have entered Turkish Cyprus since Turkey launched an operation in 1974 to protect the Turkish Cypriot community amid political chaos on the island.