Authorities in Cyprus on October 6 said they had arrested a Russian journalist for “security reasons,” prompting the Russian Foreign Ministry to demand a formal apology. State broadcaster CyBC quoted diplomatic sources as saying that the journalist would be deported. Cypriot authorities also dismissed Russian allegations that police used excessive force during the arrest, according to CyBC. A Foreign Ministry spokesman told CyBC that Cypriot authorities are in touch with the Russian government to resolve the matter. Russian news agency RIA Novosti identified the journalist as Aleksandr Gasyuk of the Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper. He reportedly already flew back to Russia.
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