Russian tourist arrested in North Cyprus and charged to court for illegal photographs

Cyprus: A 32-year old Russian man, Roman Krasnikov who is on holiday in North Cyprus has been released on bail by a Turkish military court on Thursday after he was arrested for taking photographs of Varosha (Maras) in Famagusta.

The court noted that the man, faces up to five years in prison if found guilty of photographing a military zone.

Police told an earlier court hearing that Krasnikov who was in North Cyprus for the first time was arrested as he tried to photograph the military zone of Varosha from the Palm Beach hotel.

The police officer who arrested him said Krasnikov ignored the signs stating clearly that the site was a military zone and photographs were prohibited.

The prosecutor presiding over the case indicated that the act was punishable with up to five years imprisonment and asked that Krasnikov, who had been staying in Ayia Napa, and who was also considered a flight risk, be put on bail of €1,500 but prohibited from leaving the Island.

Roman Krasnikov who spoke through an interpreter, told the court that he was visiting to see the historic parts of the island and was unaware that photographing the fenced-off area was illegal.

The judge ordered that his movements be restricted.
Source: in Cyprus