A Fire Service Officer who was ‘arrested’ by the Turkish occupying “authorities” at the edge of the Buffer Zone in Pyla near the government-controlled areas on Thursday morning has been released, according to Fire Service Spokesperson, Andreas Kettis. UNFICYP Spokesperson Aleem Siddique told CNA UNPOL officers secured ‘his prompt release’.
In a post on X, Kettis said that the during an inspection concerning vegetation clearance at the boundaries of the Buffer Zone close to the government-controlled areas, a Fire Service Officer was ‘arrested’ by the occupying “authorities”.
He noted that the officer has since been released and that the circumstances under which the incident occurred are being investigated by the Police.
Siddique, who was replying to a CNA question about the incident, said that this morning United Nations Police officers (UNPOL) entered ‘a sensitive area’ of the Pyla plateau while escorting a firefighter from the Larnaca Fire Department.
‘The firefighter was briefly detained by Turkish Cypriot police. UNPOL officers on the ground immediately engaged with the Turkish Cypriot side and secured his prompt release,’ he added.
‘The safety and security of civilians inside the UN buffer zone remains our highest priority,’ Siddique noted.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.