2 Israelis Suspected of Spying for Turkey Held in Cyprus
JERUSALEM — Cyprus’ ambassador to Israel said Saturday that his country is investigating whether two Israelis suspected of spying on Greek Cypriot military positions were working on behalf of Turkey.
“The investigation is still going on,” Ambassador Euripides Evriviades said. “We are examining all possibilities. There is a chance that maybe these people were spying for Turkey.”
The two Israeli men, Udi Hargov, 37, and Igal Damary, 49, were arrested Saturday. They were reportedly acting suspiciously in a sensitive military area in southern Cyprus.
Israeli Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon, asked about the alleged spying incident, told Israel’s Army Radio: “This is an issue that needs to be dealt with quietly. This is not an issue to be handled through the media.”
Cyprus, divided since a Turkish invasion in 1974, is due to take delivery of surface-to-air missiles from Russia at an as-yet-unspecified date. Turkey has vowed to prevent their deployment.
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