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(about 3 hours later)
By Victoria Bone BBC NewsBy Victoria Bone BBC News
Nine British soldiers have been acquitted of starting a mass brawl in Ayia Napa in Cyprus.Nine British soldiers have been acquitted of starting a mass brawl in Ayia Napa in Cyprus.
The case has brought into focus relations between the people of Cyprus and British troops stationed there at the bases Akrotiri and Dhekelia.The case has brought into focus relations between the people of Cyprus and British troops stationed there at the bases Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
It is a relationship that has, at times, been strained.It is a relationship that has, at times, been strained.
None of the nine soldiers acquitted should have been in Ayia Napa's Bedrock Inn on 2 February because military personnel are banned from the centre of the resort - a popular destination for thousands of young British holidaymakers.None of the nine soldiers acquitted should have been in Ayia Napa's Bedrock Inn on 2 February because military personnel are banned from the centre of the resort - a popular destination for thousands of young British holidaymakers.
That ban was first introduced more than a decade ago after the murder of Danish tour guide Louise Jensen.That ban was first introduced more than a decade ago after the murder of Danish tour guide Louise Jensen.
In 1994, she was raped and bludgeoned to death just outside Ayia Napa. Three off-duty British servicemen - Allan Ford, Justin Fowler, and Geoffrey Pernell - were sent to prison for the crime.In 1994, she was raped and bludgeoned to death just outside Ayia Napa. Three off-duty British servicemen - Allan Ford, Justin Fowler, and Geoffrey Pernell - were sent to prison for the crime.
Their trial exposed an unpleasant side of life on "sunshine posting" in Cyprus - one in which drinking played a central part.Their trial exposed an unpleasant side of life on "sunshine posting" in Cyprus - one in which drinking played a central part.
Later, a Channel 4 documentary - Squaddies on the Rampage - looked at the murder and went even further in its criticism.Later, a Channel 4 documentary - Squaddies on the Rampage - looked at the murder and went even further in its criticism.
The programme claimed alcohol abuse was rife on the base and soldiers could spend as little as a couple of hours a day training and the rest drinking.Tour guide Louise Jensen was raped and murdered in Cyprus in 1994 The programme claimed alcohol abuse was rife on the bases and soldiers could spend as little as a couple of hours a day training and the rest drinking.Tour guide Louise Jensen was raped and murdered in Cyprus in 1994
This, the programme said, often led to violence, and indeed, in 1990s the main square in Ayia Napa was dubbed The Battlefield for that very reason.This, the programme said, often led to violence, and indeed, in 1990s the main square in Ayia Napa was dubbed The Battlefield for that very reason.
In 1998, 35-year-old British tourist Jeremy Caprio was left blind in one eye after an attack by soldiers outside the Carwash nightclub in Ayia Napa.In 1998, 35-year-old British tourist Jeremy Caprio was left blind in one eye after an attack by soldiers outside the Carwash nightclub in Ayia Napa.
And in March 2007 two Royal Marines were fined for assaulting a taxi driver in Limassol.And in March 2007 two Royal Marines were fined for assaulting a taxi driver in Limassol.
But there have been other allegations that have not been upheld.But there have been other allegations that have not been upheld.
In 1997, two English tourists claimed to have been viciously assaulted by soldiers but the case was eventually dropped.In 1997, two English tourists claimed to have been viciously assaulted by soldiers but the case was eventually dropped.
John Mylonas, who represented the soldiers, said they were made scapegoats: "They just found the first three skinheads and brought them to the court without any real evidence." The owners of these establishments are just happy to have a quiet life without the threat of violence hanging over them Leo Leonidou, Cyprus Mail Soldiers cleared of brawlJohn Mylonas, who represented the soldiers, said they were made scapegoats: "They just found the first three skinheads and brought them to the court without any real evidence." The owners of these establishments are just happy to have a quiet life without the threat of violence hanging over them Leo Leonidou, Cyprus Mail Soldiers cleared of brawl
Britain's two sovereign bases in Cyprus cover nearly 100 square miles and house more than 3,600 service personnel and civilian workers.Britain's two sovereign bases in Cyprus cover nearly 100 square miles and house more than 3,600 service personnel and civilian workers.
The MoD says they give the UK "a foothold at a strategic point in the Mediterranean" and are "an important staging post for military aircraft".The MoD says they give the UK "a foothold at a strategic point in the Mediterranean" and are "an important staging post for military aircraft".
The bases also bring a huge amount of money to the island. Shops, bars, restaurants and taxi drivers all feel the benefit of spending by soldiers and their families, and the ban on entering Ayia Napa was certainly unpopular with some business owners there.The bases also bring a huge amount of money to the island. Shops, bars, restaurants and taxi drivers all feel the benefit of spending by soldiers and their families, and the ban on entering Ayia Napa was certainly unpopular with some business owners there.
Nevertheless, some believe the majority of people still welcome it.Nevertheless, some believe the majority of people still welcome it.
Leo Leonidou, a reporter at the Cyprus Mail, said there was no trouble at present thanks to the ban, but British soldiers still had a very bad name among the locals.Leo Leonidou, a reporter at the Cyprus Mail, said there was no trouble at present thanks to the ban, but British soldiers still had a very bad name among the locals.
"I think if you did a survey of 100 people and asked them if they wanted the ban lifted almost all of them would say 'No'," he said."I think if you did a survey of 100 people and asked them if they wanted the ban lifted almost all of them would say 'No'," he said.
"It's true they did spend a lot of cash in bars and restaurants, but I think the owners of these establishments are just happy to have a quiet life without the added hassle or threat of violence hanging over them."It's true they did spend a lot of cash in bars and restaurants, but I think the owners of these establishments are just happy to have a quiet life without the added hassle or threat of violence hanging over them.
"The base itself does contribute to the employment market because locals take jobs there, but on an individual basis the soldiers aren't really seen as contributing anything positive.""The base itself does contribute to the employment market because locals take jobs there, but on an individual basis the soldiers aren't really seen as contributing anything positive."
The Bedrock Bar in Ayia Napa was the scene of the brawlThe Bedrock Bar in Ayia Napa was the scene of the brawl
Not everyone agrees though. Andreas Charalambos, defence lawyer in the Bedrock case, said he did not accept that there was bad feeling between troops and local people.Not everyone agrees though. Andreas Charalambos, defence lawyer in the Bedrock case, said he did not accept that there was bad feeling between troops and local people.
"I don't think there is a problem," he said. "I think this was an isolated incident."I don't think there is a problem," he said. "I think this was an isolated incident.
"From time to time we have incidents, but these are normal fights that happen all over the world. To suggest there is a bad relationship creates a negative picture that does not reflect reality."From time to time we have incidents, but these are normal fights that happen all over the world. To suggest there is a bad relationship creates a negative picture that does not reflect reality.
"The ban is a matter for the Army. It has nothing to do with Cypriots.""The ban is a matter for the Army. It has nothing to do with Cypriots."
But the Bedrock incident proved once more that conflicts can arise and it prompted the then mayor of Ayia Napa to consider extending the ban on troops even further to cover the entire resort not just the centre.But the Bedrock incident proved once more that conflicts can arise and it prompted the then mayor of Ayia Napa to consider extending the ban on troops even further to cover the entire resort not just the centre.
Pubs and clubs are still happy to serve the thousands of holidaymakers that jet across from the UK every year to the resort famed for its "lively" nightlife.Pubs and clubs are still happy to serve the thousands of holidaymakers that jet across from the UK every year to the resort famed for its "lively" nightlife.
'Media-generated issue''Media-generated issue'
Constandinides Nikolas, 48, opened the Castle club in 1988. It is the biggest one in town and from early May to late September it is crammed each night with up to 2,500 clubbers.Constandinides Nikolas, 48, opened the Castle club in 1988. It is the biggest one in town and from early May to late September it is crammed each night with up to 2,500 clubbers.
Mr Nikolas knows the resort has a wild reputation - and that is good for business.Mr Nikolas knows the resort has a wild reputation - and that is good for business.
"Some people come and don't go out much. The British come here and stay out. They spend, spend, spend," he said."Some people come and don't go out much. The British come here and stay out. They spend, spend, spend," he said.
"Young people are the same everywhere. They want to have a good time."Young people are the same everywhere. They want to have a good time.
"There are good and bad people everywhere," he added, "with so many here you are going to see the odd exception. Ayia Napa is a safe place - but there could be more police.""There are good and bad people everywhere," he added, "with so many here you are going to see the odd exception. Ayia Napa is a safe place - but there could be more police."
The mayor said he would seek help from the military police to enforce a wider ban, but he could struggle to find support.The mayor said he would seek help from the military police to enforce a wider ban, but he could struggle to find support.
Cpt Nick Ulvert, deputy spokesman for British Forces in Cyprus, has said the problem is 'a media-generated issue'. Cpt Nick Ulvert, deputy spokesman for British Forces in Cyprus, has said the problem is "a media-generated issue".
But, the issue could take on a much wider significance if Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias has his way.But, the issue could take on a much wider significance if Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias has his way.
He has pledged to remove all foreign military forces from the island as part of new unified future for the long-divided island. He has pledged to remove all foreign military forces from the island as part of a new unified future for the long-divided island.