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UK Marines charged with assault UK Marines charged with assault
(10 minutes later)
Two British Royal Marines have appeared in court in Cyprus charged with assaulting a taxi driver, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.Two British Royal Marines have appeared in court in Cyprus charged with assaulting a taxi driver, the Ministry of Defence has confirmed.
The alleged assault took place following a disagreement over payment of a taxi fare after a night out.The alleged assault took place following a disagreement over payment of a taxi fare after a night out.
The Marines were in transit through the RAF base at Episkopi after serving in Afghanistan. The men have been named as Jonathan Hart, 22, and Chris Douglas, 27, both of 45 Commando, Royal Marines.
The MoD said Royal Military Police were assisting the Cypriot authorities in the investigation.The MoD said Royal Military Police were assisting the Cypriot authorities in the investigation.
The Marines were in transit through the RAF base at Episkopi after serving in Afghanistan.
It is claimed that they got into an argument with taxi driver Demetris Panayi, 58, during the journey back to the base.It is claimed that they got into an argument with taxi driver Demetris Panayi, 58, during the journey back to the base.
InvestigationInvestigation
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the Royal Military Police were assisting civilian police "with an investigation into an alleged assault of a taxi driver in Limassol, the theft and subsequent crash of his vehicle".A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the Royal Military Police were assisting civilian police "with an investigation into an alleged assault of a taxi driver in Limassol, the theft and subsequent crash of his vehicle".
As a result of the ongoing investigation, a number of personnel due to return to UK will remain in Cyprus for the time being, the spokesman added.As a result of the ongoing investigation, a number of personnel due to return to UK will remain in Cyprus for the time being, the spokesman added.
He confirmed that the men were members of the 45 Commando Royal Marines unit which is based in Arbroath. He confirmed that the men were members of the 45 Commando Royal Marines unit which is based in Arbroath, Angus.
Cyprus Police spokesman Yiannos Petrides said the two soldiers appeared in court on Saturday and are now in police custody waiting to appear before Limassol District Court on Wednesday.Cyprus Police spokesman Yiannos Petrides said the two soldiers appeared in court on Saturday and are now in police custody waiting to appear before Limassol District Court on Wednesday.
"Sometimes we have trouble with British soldiers but not that often. This was a fairly isolated incident.""Sometimes we have trouble with British soldiers but not that often. This was a fairly isolated incident."
The Times reported that the men were part of a unit of 150 personnel based in Helmand Province involved in a series of hand-to-hand battles with the Taleban.The Times reported that the men were part of a unit of 150 personnel based in Helmand Province involved in a series of hand-to-hand battles with the Taleban.