Greek Cypriot man abandons car, flee on foot after entering north Cyprus by mistake

A 32-year-old Greek Cypriot man abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot after he accidentally crossed to north Cyprus early Thursday morning.

The man said he fled to British bases-controlled territory once he noticed lights coming from a Turkish Cypriot outpost, leaving his car behind.

Greek Cypriot police said that the man entered the area at 4am on the road on the Larnaca–Famagusta road leading to Strovilia, when at some point he ended up on a dirt road and exited his vehicle for a few minutes.

The man, a resident of Nicosia said that he realised he had entered the north when he saw the spotlights on him. He got scared and immediately started running in the opposite direction, towards the area controlled by the British bases, eventually leaving his car behind, which he said was surrounded by Turkish Cypriot soldiers.

A procedure to return the vehicle to his owner is underway under with the help of the UN. 

In a plot twist, the man was arrested by British Bases police on suspicion of drug trafficking after investigations challenged his claims of accidentally entering the north.

The man was detained following evidence suggesting he was in the territory and attempting to return to  the south through an uncontrolled crossing point, according to Philenews sources.

Police sources said the suspect was arrested to investigate potential involvement in drug smuggling operations. 

British Bases police investigate drug trafficking allegations

In his initial statement, the man claimed he entered the occupied territory accidentally via a dirt road whilst seeking to relieve himself. He alleged he saw lights directed towards him and realised they came from occupation authorities’ guard post.

The suspect said he began running and managed to cross back into the south, leaving his vehicle behind during the alleged escape.

British Bases Dhekelia police investigations appear to contradict these claims, with evidence suggesting deliberate movement between territories rather than accidental crossing.

The man was released after he was charged in writing. He is set to appear before Dkehelia police in two weeks.

The British Sovereign Base Areas maintain their own police force with jurisdiction over the territory, which includes parts of the buffer zone between the two sides of Cyprus.