2 Jailed Israeli Agents Gain Early Release

Opposition parties accused the Cypriot government of succumbing to foreign pressure in releasing two Israeli intelligence agents after they had served just six months of their three-year prison terms. President Glafcos Clerides pardoned Udi Hargov, 37, and Igal Damary, 49, because their continuing detention “would no longer serve the national interest,” the government said. However, Ioannis Omirou, who was Cypriot defense minister at the time of the men’s arrest in November, condemned the release, saying they had been spying for Turkey.