Greek Cypriot man who was jailed in the TRNC said he shared his prison with five Africans, three Turks, one Korean

Greek Cypriot man Andreas Soutzi who was jailed for 39 days in the TRNC for illegal activities said he shared his prison ward with five Africans, three Turks, one Korean, one Lebanese and one Iranian.

Speaking of his experience in prison, Andreas Soutzi said they talked about why Cyprus was divided.

Asked whether Greek Cypriots should be afraid when visiting the north of the island, Soutzi replied that he had nothing to fear, asking for more cooperation for the unification of Cyprus.

Describing his prison days to Politis, Soutzi summarized the arrest process with these words:

“On August 30, a couple of my friends from Greece and my cousin decided to take a little trip to the north. I was going to show them my village Lisi (Akdoğan) and Famagusta. At the Pergama barricade, the police said there was a problem and I had to wait. Finally, they took me to the Prastio (Dörtyol) police station. I waited there until the police came from Trikomo (Pier). When they arrived, they informed me that I had to go with them to the Leonarisso (Visiting) police station to be questioned. After my friends found a way and returned to the free zones, I went to Leonarisso in the company of the police”.

“ Central Prison”

“My detention would be in the 'central prison' in Nicosia. First we went to the old prison and there they registered me, I was polled and they gave me a prison outfit. Later, along with the others, they took us to the new prison in Mia Milia (Haspolat). There, we were staying in a big ward of 12 people. Five Africans, three Turks, one Korean, one Lebanese, one Iranian and me. Since the prison was new, everything was clean and tidy. There, too, we had nothing to do but sleep and eat all day. On the other hand, we were at least a group and chatting. In order to pass the time more comfortably, I used to sit at night and tell the history of Cyprus to my fellow prisoners. In this way, they understood to some extent why Cyprus was divided and why there was conflict between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots”. 

“ I Was Sleepless”

“After 7 days, they took me to the 'military court' again. It was the day of the final hearing and the decision. Outside the court, friends and acquaintances gathered again, waiting anxiously. The 'judge' said that after hearing both the 'prosecutor' and my lawyer, the decision would be announced in 5 days. Back again… Prison and waiting… No communication with the outside world… Finally, the day of decision has come. The night before the decision day, I couldn't sleep because of anxiety. We went to the 'military court' again. This time I was in for a pleasant surprise. While waiting for the 'trial' to start in a small cell, I heard my daughter Hristina's voice. We hugged and kissed each other through the small window in the cell door. I hadn't seen him for almost a month. After emotional moments, we entered the 'court' hall. 'Judge's decision,    

I mean, I'd be in jail for another 10 days. It was an unfair and unreasonable decision by nature, but as you can see, some circles wanted to punish me anyway, one way or another”. 

“ They Released Me”

“So I went back to prison. I returned to my familiar ward and routine. After 3 days, the prison authorities decided to move my wards to the old prison. There would be many comforts such as visits, television, telephone and games to pass the time. But the health conditions were not very pleasant and for this reason I did not want to go. Luckily they left me there, they changed my ward and put me in with 7 Syrians and two Africans.

The remaining 7 days passed slowly. On Friday morning, Trikomo 'police' picked me up and after various procedures they took me to the Strovilio (Akyar) barricade and released me there”.

Andreas Soutzi stated that the authorities in the north put him on the stop list and his lawyer took the necessary actions to remove his name from the list of banned names.