Greek Cypriot man arrested for taking photos of military zone released after completing jail term in a north Cyprus prison

Greek Cypriot man Andreas Soudjis, who was arrested and detained in north Cyprus for taking pictures of forbidden military zone has been released from prison after more than five weeks.

Andreas Soudjis was released from prison on Friday.

He had been sentenced by “military court” to one month in prison for taking photographs of “military posts” in restricted areas.

After being released on Friday morning, Soudjis told CNA that he had taken the pictures from the area of Varosha. He said that the pictures showed buildings and sceneries, such as a church and friend’s house.

Soudjis who was deported from the TRNC was also banned from entering the TRNC by the Ministry of Interior , but said he will make an appeal against this decision.

His lawyer Öncel Polili said that the court did not issue a decision to "deport", and that "he was banned from entering the TRNC, he was placed on the banned list" in line with the decision taken by the Ministry of Interior.