Are there Islamic extremists in Northern Cyprus

[maggie]

The Daily Mail claim that British born extremists are joining terror cells
in Syria via Bogas in Northern Cyprus.
The report says that groups of men posing as holiday makers using budget flights
pay up to a £1000 to fishermen to ferry them across to Syria at midnight.
I wonder is this true.

[tomsteel]

A question for the journalist maybe? Are there extremists of any religion in the TRNC?

[Ragged Robin]

I know a few Christians and one follower of Islam who are committed and dedicated to their religion. Some of the Christians' interpretation of the scriptures is more "extreme" than the faith I was brought up in, but neither were in the least prone to expressing their views by violence - indeed are among the gentlest people I have met.

In the case reported by maggie it seems to me that "extremists" were passing through N. Cyprus not living or originating here and any assistance was motivated by financial gain, not religion. Indeed I get the impression that the God worshipped by most races here is Mammon!

[Dalartokat]

The Daily Mail claim that British born extremists are joining terror cells
in Syria via Bogas in Northern Cyprus.
The report says that groups of men posing as holiday makers using budget flights
pay up to a £1000 to fishermen to ferry them across to Syria at midnight.
I wonder is this true.

This is a link to the Daily Mirror version, take with a pinch of salt. I lost interest when it said cheap flights to Cyprus on British Airways

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news ... ll-6704907

[Groucho]

It sounds like total b*llocks made up to demonize the TRNC yet again...

The waters off the TRNC and Bogaz in particular are patrolled by the Turkish Coastguard and Warships, looking for migrants and smugglers. This would seem a very high risk strategy for the boat owner. As far as anyone has heard, not one single boat has been caught...

Daily Mirror has been duped in to paying for poor copy yet again! I hope they didn't pay this 'journalist' very much for his fabrication...

It is theoretically a possible route but who in their right mind would use a highly vigilant and motivated militarised route such as this... nobody that's who!

[brian24001]

Why come by boat to Cyprus and then need to go again by boat to mainland Europe? ................ with no documentation etc.

A handful of refugees have ended up in the south but are kept in camps with tight security around them. Some have been there for a number of years.

[MoonageDaydream]

Bogaz is a small place, and the harbour is not 'remote' as the article suggests, but close to the main road, is ringed by 4 restaurants, and overlooked by a hotel! Not exactly the sort of place you could conduct this sort of people smuggling without being spotted. Mind you there are places where you could do this nearby eg, the small jetty at Salamis or in parts of the Karpas, but Bogaz Harbour? - well as a regular visitor there I would say that is highly unlikely.

(Looks like the reporters had a cheap autumn break in Cyprus at the Mirror's expense though!)