President asks the UN to intervene for the immediate release of abducted Cyprus Police officers
Cyprus President Demetris Christofias said that he has asked the UN to intervene for the immediate release of the three Cyprus Police officers that were illegally arrested by the Turkish occupation forces on Sunday in the buffer zone, during a police chase of a car with Turkish Cypriot number plates.
In statements after the parade held Monday in the framework of celebrations to mark the island’s 52nd independence anniversary Christofias said that the UN must intervene decisively and immediately to release the three policemen, noting that he has asked for the immediate intervention of the UN. “The UN should have intervened on the spot,” he said, noting that Presidential Commissioner George Iacovou, who is competent on such issues, remains vigilant and is following the issue.
Responding to a question about the illegal arrest, Christofias said that “the situation is unacceptable”, adding that Technical Committees, which have been set up, in the framework of the negotiating process, aiming at the settlement of the Cyprus problem discuss such issues as the handing-over of criminals.
He said that in compliance to its duty, Cyprus Police have worked to arrest a Turkish Cypriot, who is a criminal and contributed in handing him over to the occupied areas. He said that Turkish Cypriots should have been thankful about this and not arrest the policemen who tried to arrest this criminal.
Christofias noted that necessary representations are being made noting that “I have personally intervened. I deem that the UN must intervene decisively and our policemen be released, with their guns and the motorcycle,” he noted.
On his part, Justice and Public Order Minister Loucas Louca said that the three Greek Cypriot policemen will be taken before a so called military court of the Turkish Cypriot pseudostate on Tuesday.
In statements after the parade, Louca said there has not been any development, adding that the government is exerting pressure by diplomatic means.
Furthermore, he noted that investigations have shown that the illegal arrest took place within the buffer zone.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded the island and occupied 37% of its territory. Direct negotiations began in September 2008 with a view to reunite the island
