Cyprus releases two Mossad agents

The Cypriot authorities on Thursday released two Israeli spies who were sentenced to three years in prison last February for spying on military areas during secret maneuvers for the Cypriot army.

The pardon for the two Israelis came in the course of a deal agreed upon by the Cypriot attorney general to drop the charge of spying and to confine to the charges of getting close to military areas and having banned listening systems.

In a statement, the Cypriot government said that the release of the two Israeli agents came only five months after their arrest and that this decision is built on the national interests of Cyprus, adding that continued imprisonment of the two Israelis will not serve these interests.

For its part, Israel Radio quoted Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak as saying in a statement that the decision of Cypriot President Glafcos Clerides to release the two Israelis was met with great appreciation in Israel, noting that such a decision would contribute to strengthening relations between Cyprus and Israel.