Greece formally arrests two on charges of spying for Turkey

Two suspects accused of spying against Greece were on Friday formally arrested by the Greek authorities.

One of the suspects has been identified as a 35-year-old secretary at the Turkish consulate on the eastern Aegean island of Rhodes. The second suspect, aged 54, was employed as a cook on a passenger ferry connecting the islands of Rhodes and Kastellorizo. Both islands lie close to the Turkish coast.

The 54-year-old had been given five days to prepare his defence. Authorities executed an arrest warrant after the deadline expired on Friday. The 35-year-old has already pleaded guilty to the charges.

One of the suspects has been accused of photographing movements of Greek armed forces in the Aegean Sea.

Both are reportedly members of the country’s Muslim minority in western Thrace.