Three Greek Cypriots and a priest arrested by Turkish Cypriot police for being in possession of a stone

Four Greek Cypriots, including a priest, were arrested near the Pergamos checkpoint on Tuesday by Turkish Cypriot police for being in possession of a stone of archaeological importance.

The men who were released later in the day were arrested at about 3pm.

The men were arrested during a car inspection, when a stone with the symbol of a cross etched on it was recognised as an object of valuable archaeological importance and its transfer to south Cyprus was prohibited.

The priest had told the Turkish Cypriot police that he had taken the stone from his village of Vokolida, in north Cyprus.