Cyprus checkpoint reopens

Movement of vehicles across the Ayios Dhometios checkpoint in Nicosia has been restored after a group of citizens headed by former MEP Marios Matsakis temporarily closed it in protest earlier on Tuesday at the illegal arrest of three Greek Cypriot policemen by Turkish Cypriot authorities.

The group first stopped movement from the Turkish occupied north to the government controlled areas. They then prevented a bus with German tourists from crossing into the north, the Cyprus News Agency reported. But police intervened, forming a cordon round the demonstrators, effectively re-opening the checkpoint,. Matsakis has urged the 30 or so demonstrators to remain on site until the three policemen are freed.
An UNFICYP spokesman earlier told CNA that the occupation regime had closed the checkpoint in the Turkish held area until the protest ends.
Former foreign minister Yiorgos Lillikas, who is running for president in the February 2013 elections, on Sunday called on the government to close the checkpoints until the three polciemen are free.
The government has rejected the call, saying that the checkpoints serves Greek and Turkish Cypriot citizens. It said that it is in contact with the U N to secure the release of the three.
The Greek Cypriot policemen were kidnapped in the buffer zone on Saturday and are due to appear before a ‘court’ in the Turkish Cypriot today,.
The officers were detained after they entered the buffer zone near Dhali Village while in pursuit of a Turkish Cypriot pick-up truck whose driver failed to stop when signaled by the police.
Officers Antonis Antoniou, Savvas Savva and Christodoulos Christodoulou face charges of illegally entering the breakaway north, carrying firearms and assault.
According to a police announcement, the Ministry of Defence and state have contacted the United Nations in an attempt to have the officers released.

Cyprus Weekly