Britons held on spy charges in Greece
http://www.excite.co.uk/news/story/UKOnlineReportTopNews/IDSFFH23645_2001-11-12_20-26-33_ULL274410
12/11/01 20:26
ATHENS (Reuters) - A Greek court has ordered 12 Britons held on spy charges until Friday so that the secret service can investigate whether they took photographs of sensitive material on a Greek airbase, their lawyer said. The Britons -- 11 men and one woman -- will be held until Friday at the police station of the southern Greek town of Kalamata while Greek intelligence agents review their film, lawyer Yannis Nikiteas told reporters on Monday.
"If this shows that there is no confidential information... they will be released," he said. "They are upset, they are tired and have repeatedly expressed their grief over this misunderstanding."
Photographing military installations is strictly forbidden in Greece. The court will decide on Friday whether to proceed with a trial or release the Britons.
The group was visiting an air show on November 8, which marks the feast day of St. Michael, patron saint of the air force when they were arrested for shooting sensitive areas of the base.
British consul Donald Holden said the group were members of the Touch Down plane spotting club in the UK and had denied the charges.
"It's a sad ending to their holiday," Holden told reporters.
