RUSSIAN journalist, Alexander Gasyuk was detained on Thursday near his house after his residence permit was revoked for security reasons.
The arrest allegedly involved the use of force which caused the Russian journalist to sustain an arm injury and get admitted to the hospital.
Gasyuk works for a Russian pro-government newspaper but Greek Cypriot officials claimed that his activities have nothing to do with journalism and that he is always in contact with the Russian embassy.
Security authorities arrested him on the grounds that he posed a threat to national security.
The Russian journalist would be deported after his residency permit was revoked.
Meanwhile, Moscow demanded a formal apology from the Cypriot government over the “provocation” and summoned the Cyprus ambassador to Russia for an explanation.
The incident sparked a global debate as to how governments should draw the line and create balance between press freedom and national security.