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UK soldiers 'rampage' in Cyprus Cyprus 'rampage' soldiers charged
(about 1 hour later)
Nine British soldiers have been arrested after allegedly going on the rampage in Ayia Napa in Cyprus. Nine British soldiers have been charged after a brawl in a bar in the resort of Ayia Napa in Cyprus.
Local police said they were called to a disturbance in the resort's Bedrock Pub involving around 20 soldiers in the early hours of Saturday. Local police said at least 20 soldiers from Dhekelia garrison went on the rampage the early hours of Saturday.
Five people were injured, including one of the soldiers, after tables, chairs and bottles were allegedly thrown. They are suspected of smashing chairs, bottles and glasses at the Bedrock Pub, and two locals and three soldiers were reportedly injured in the incident.
A spokesman for British forces in Cyprus described it as "the most serious incident... for some time". The Ministry of Defence said the arrested soldiers were serving with 2 Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
Spokesman Dennis Barnes said: "The Army cannot condone any form of violence or destruction to Cypriot property. If found guilty in a court of law there will be other consequential penalties from the military." Inquiries continuing
An MoD spokesman said: "We can confirm there was an incident on Friday night in the Cypriot town of Ayia Napa involving a number of British forces.
"We can now confirm that nine soldiers serving with 2 Royal Regiment of Fusiliers have been charged with a variety of offences and inquiries into the incident are continuing.
"The Military Police continue to work closely with the local police as part of this ongoing investigation."
It is thought the soldiers had just been paid and were out celebrating the end of their tour of duty. Some of those involved are thought to have served in Afghanistan and Iraq.It is thought the soldiers had just been paid and were out celebrating the end of their tour of duty. Some of those involved are thought to have served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman in London told the BBC that the nine face a range of public disorder offences and that enquiries are ongoing.
British forces have been banned from parts of the resort after a string of violent and drunken incidents a decade ago.British forces have been banned from parts of the resort after a string of violent and drunken incidents a decade ago.
Some 3,650 UK personnel and civilian workers are based in Cyprus at military bases on the Mediterranean island.