Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Twelve Britons are due to appear in a Greek court on espionage charges – apparently after a plane-spotting holiday went disastrously wrong.
Twelve Britons are due to appear in a Greek court on espionage charges – apparently after a plane-spotting holiday went disastrously wrong.
British diplomats in Athens are talking to the group to try to establish what happened. One official said: "We are baffled by the accusations."
The diplomat added: "It looks as if they were a harmless group of respectable plane spotters – but the Greeks could take a more serious view."
The 12 were arrested along with two Dutch citizens after an airshow at a military airport near the southern town of Kalamata .
They were on a week-long trip organised by Touchdown Tours, a company based in Suffolk which specialises in excursions for military aircraft enthusiasts.
The initial charge was taking photographs in a restricted area, although British officials are concerned that this has now been hardened to a charge of spying. The group told diplomats that they did not have cameras, only binoculars. But Greek sources say that film has been seized showing pictures of aircraft.
The 12 are being held in a jail in Kalamata, where conditions are said to be good. They have been allowed to contact relatives and the British consul will attend the court hearing.
British diplomats say they understand that the group had a written invitation to attend the airshow – however, one which would have included a strict no-photography clause.
Diplomats are worried about a report that the group had already been briefly detained in Athens for a similar offence. There is further concern about claims that the group had notebooks containing "details" of five military airports.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments