Panicos Tsiakourmas (Hansard, 15 January 2001)

§ Sir Sydney Chapman
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the detention of the Greek Cypriot Panicos Tsiakourmas on 12 December 2000 by Turkish forces; and what representations have been made to the Turkish authorities. [145608]

§ Mr. Vaz
The Government regard the detention of Panicos Tsiakourmas as a very serious matter. Our High Commissioner has made strong representations to Mr. Denktash about the circumstances of Mr. Tsiakourmas' arrest. We have also raised our concerns with the Turkish authorities in Nicosia, Ankara and London. I met Mrs. Tsiakourmas and my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love) on 9 January. We will continue to raise the issue until it is resolved satisfactorily.

§ Mr. Love
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action is being taken to secure the immediate release of Mr. Tsiakourmas, a Greek Cypriot national by the Turkish Cypriot authorities; and if he will make a statement. [145084]

§ Mr. Vaz
The Government regard the detention of Panicos Tsiakourmas as a very serious matter. Our High Commissioner has made strong representations to Mr. Denktash about the circumstances of Mr. Tsiakourmas' arrest. We have also raised our concerns with the Turkish authorities in Nicosia, Ankara and London. As my hon. Friend knows, we met Mrs. Tsiakourmas on 9 January. We will continue to raise the issue until it is resolved satisfactorily.

§ Mr. Love
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations are being made to the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot authorities regarding the medical condition of Mr. Tsiakourmas; what treatment has been provided to ensure his health does not deteriorate; and if he will make a statement. [145082]

§ Mr. Vaz
Our High Commissioner in Nicosia is keeping in close contact with the UN and the Tsiakourmas family concerning Mr. Tsiakourmas' health and welfare. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing Mrs. Tsiakourmas to see me. According to information given to us by the UN, a doctor specialising in diabetes cases saw and treated Mr. Tsiakourmas as required on 8 January. Our High Commissioner has urged the Turkish Cypriot authorities to allow Mr. Tsiakourmas regular access, through the UN, to a doctor specialising in diabetes cases. The UK Government regard the detention of Panicos Tsiakourmas as a very serious matter. We will continue to make strong protests to the Turkish Cypriots and raise our concerns with the Turkish authorities, until the case is satisfactorily resolved.

§ Mr. Love
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what investigations have taken place into the events surrounding the abduction of Mr. Tsiakourmas; what facts have been established in relation to the charges under which he is being detained; and if he will make a statement. [145083]

§ Mr. Vaz
The Government regard the detention of Panicos Tsiakourmas as a very serious matter. The Sovereign Base Areas Administration is continuing to32W conduct an investigation, but the evidence so far available raises serious questions about the circumstances in which Mr. Tsiakourmas' vehicle was abandoned in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area and the basis of his arrest. Our High Commissioner has therefore made strong representations to Mr. Denktash and we have raised our concerns with the Turkish authorities in Nicosia, Ankara and London. We will continue to press this case until it is resolved satisfactorily.