Police in the Dhekelia British bases have released from custody the 32-year-old Greek Cypriot man who claims he accidentally crossed into the north near Strovilia before fleeing back into SBA territory on foot, abandoning his car.

According to SBA police, there was suspicion he may be linked to a drugs case and could have been attempting to re-enter the Republic from an uncontrolled crossing point.

Authorities said the man was detained in order to provide a full account of why he was in the border area.

The incident reportedly took place around 4am when the man said he mistakenly drove into the north while heading towards Strovilia.

In his statement to the police, he explained that he had been driving along the Larnaca–Famagusta road when he turned onto a dirt road and briefly got out of his vehicle.

At some point, he noticed lights shining on him and realised – according to his account – that he had inadvertently entered the north.

The man said that he realised he had entered the north when he saw the spotlights on him. He got scared and immediately started running in the opposite direction, towards the area controlled by the British bases, eventually leaving his car behind, which he said was surrounded by Turkish Cypriot soldiers.

The case is being investigated by the Dhekelia bases police. A procedure to return the vehicle to his owner is underway under with the help of the UN.