Official: Six Men Placed in Custody After Trying to Enter Cyprus; Interpol Says Three Were 'Close to' Islamic Extremists

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — An official says Cypriot authorities are holding one Algerian and five Turkish men in custody after they were stopped from entering the country amid "suspicions" over the purpose of their trip.

Nicosia, Cyprus (Image source: YouTube)

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he's not authorized to discuss security matters publicly, told The Associated Press on Sunday that the French-speaking men arrived Saturday evening on a flight from Basel, Switzerland.

The official said the men told passport control officers they came to Cyprus for a few days on holiday.

Interpol was notified and the international police agency told Cypriot authorities that two Turks and the Algerian man were "close to" Islamic extremist groups.

The official said it's likely all six will be put on a flight back to Switzerland on Monday.

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