Turkish Cypriots free Greek Cypriot ex-MEP

(NICOSIA) - Two Greek Cypriots including a former MEP arrested with two Polish European parliament members in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus at the weekend were released on Monday after being fined.

Loizos Afxentiou, who was freed on bail on Sunday and forbidden from leaving the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus pending Monday's hearing, and former MEP Yiannakis Matsis each paid a fine of 100 euros (140 dollars).

Matsis, a 77-year-old with a history of heart problems, was released from hospital in Famagusta on the Mediterranean island's east coast, where he was admitted on Saturday after being arrested.

The four were detained after entering a fenced-off military area in Famagusta, allegedly to visit destroyed Orthodox churches there. The two Polish MEPs were released later on Saturday.

They were among a tourist group of 11 who had entered the Turkish-controlled north from the Greek Cypriot south.

The Greek Cypriot CNA state news agency said "Turkish occupation forces" carried out the arrests "at around 10:00 am (0800 GMT), in the churchyard of Agia Zoni, which is situated within the fenced-off area of Famagusta, occupied by the Turkish military."

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops seized and occupied its northern third in response to an Athens-inspired coup in Nicosia aimed at joining the island with Greece.

The internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government in the south and the breakaway TRNC, recognised only by Turkey, are holding UN-brokered talks to end the island's division.

The Church of Cyprus charges that since the 1974 invasion more than 500 churches in the north have been pillaged and many archaeological and other cultural heritage sites abandoned to the elements.

Also, hundreds of icons, frescoes and other valuable artefacts have been stolen and found their way on to the black market.