Cyprus makes strong representations to Britain over Euro MPs arrest

The Cypriot government demanded the immediate release of its Euro MP Marios Matsakis, who was arrested Thursday afternoon by the British Sovereign Bases Police in Cyprus.
Matsakis and members of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of the European Parliament, were on their way to visit the Akrotiri British Base where gigantic antennas were erected by the Bases when their bus was halted by British Bases Police as it entered the Bases area.
Matsakis was arrested on the spot as two arrest warrants against him were pending since last year, for causing willful damage and writing slogans on cars and walls within the British Bases area.
He was taken to a court in the SBA areas which demanded that the MP pay a 500 Cyprus pound bail which he refused since, he said, he does not recognize the British Bases nor their Court or jurisdiction.
Matsakis remains in custody at Episkopi.
Government Spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis said the government “condemns the arrest of Euro MP Marios Matsakis by the Authorities of the British Bases at Akrotiri”.
“As soon as the government was informed on Matsakis’ arrest, the Foreign Ministry made strong representations to the British High Commission demanding his immediate release”, he added.
Britain has retained two military bases in Cyprus after the country gained its independence in 1960 from British colonial rule.