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Iranian foreign relations

British Terror Suspect Accused of Spying for Iran Surveyed US Air Base

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A British man with suspected links to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly surveilled a US air base in Cyprus, where American troops and a transport aircraft had landed hours beforehand. According to reports, the suspect used a long-range camera with a 125x optical zoom to photograph military movements at the Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos, a primary air base for the Cyprus Air Force. The air base is sometimes used by the US air force, and hundreds of US marines are stationed in the area in readiness for the growing conflict in the Middle East.

Key Takeaways:

  • The British suspect, who also holds Azerbaijani nationality, was allegedly surveilling military installations at the Andreas Papandreou air base using a long-range camera with a 125x optical zoom.
  • The suspect had apparent links to Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and had been monitoring Britain's Akrotiri base in Cyprus.
  • The suspect traveled to the air base in Paphos on Friday, taking two buses for the 68km-long journey, and rented a car to help him discreetly photograph military installations.
  • Cypriot authorities stated that the suspect had been monitoring the base since mid-April, and police found a Nikon Coolpix P1100 camera with telescopic-like zoom and high resolution.
  • The suspect was arrested in Limassol for "criminal acts related, among others, to terrorism and espionage," and is being held in detention until Sunday.
  • Greek authorities arrested an Azerbaijani man on suspicion of espionage in Crete, allegedly caught taking photos of a major Nato naval base.

Statistics:

  • 43,000 troops are deployed in the wider region in readiness for the growing conflict in the Middle East.
  • The Andreas Papandreou air base in Paphos is a primary air base for the Cyprus Air Force.
  • US marines are stationed in Paphos with an estimated 43,000 troops deployed in the wider region.
  • The suspect was seen walking near RAF Akrotiri almost daily, carrying a camera with a magnifying lens and three mobile phones.
  • Police found over 5,000 photographs and encryption software on a laptop confiscated from the Azerbaijani suspect's hotel room.

Sources:

  • Phileleftheros, Cyprus's largest daily newspaper
  • Israel's Channel 12
  • Cypriot authorities
  • Police sources
  • Foreign Office spokesman
  • Greek authorities
  • National Intelligence Service (EYP)
  • Hellenic Police

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