Greek national arrested for photographing military facilities in north Cyprus

A Greek national, Georgios Bartzokis, was caught red-handed photographing military housing and facilities in Yedidalga and has been remanded in custody for four days pending investigation, authorities announced.

According to testimony presented at the Lefkoşa District Court by the police, Bartzokis was apprehended on June 27, 2025, while taking photographs of military lodgings belonging to the Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces Command (KTBK) using his mobile phone and a camera.

An initial examination of Bartzokis’ devices revealed not only images of the military installations in Yedidalga but also videos of the Güzelyurt military barracks recorded while he was traveling along the old Güzelyurt-Lefke highway. 

Additionally, photographs of the Turkish Embassy and the Parliament building in Lefkoşa were discovered. Authorities also found that Bartzokis had shared a photo of the Parliament building on social media with a caption referring to it as “occupied territory.”

During a search of the suspect’s residence in Yedidalga, police seized a voice recorder, USB drives, and memory cards. All confiscated evidence has been sent to the Data Analysis Unit for further examination.

Police stated that Bartzokis entered the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on June 25, 2025, through the Ledra Palace Border Gate with a 30-day tourist visa and has no permanent ties or residency in the TRNC. Due to the severity of the allegations, which carry a maximum prison sentence of five years, and concerns he might abscond, police requested his detention to ensure his presence at trial.

After reviewing the evidence, Judge Tutku Candaş ruled that there was strong prima facie evidence supporting the charges and ordered Bartzokis to remain in custody for up to four days while the investigation continues.