Arrests follow Cyprus violence

Damage was estimated to cost at least $290,000

NICOSIA, Cyprus -- British authorities in Cyprus have arrested a Greek Cypriot in connection with last week's violence outside a British military base.

The 23-year-old man was detained after being found in possession of a number of objects belonging to a British bases police officer, a spokesman for the British Sovereign Base Areas (SBAs) said on Saturday.

The police officer was one of at least 34 hurt when Greek Cypriot protesters stormed a police station close to the base at Akrotiri to demand the release of Cypriot MP Marios Matsakis.

Another man was arrested on Friday on suspicion of involvement in the violence.

Matsakis was arrested for cutting holes in the perimeter fence of the Royal Air Forcebase during a protest at British plans to build 100-metre tall communications masts.

Local residents claim the masts are a health hazard and would emit cancer-causing radiation.

The governments of Cyprus and Britain will start radiation measurements in the area on Monday, a diplomatic source said.

Over 30 people were injured in last week's clashes.

The damage to British military facilities was estimated at between $294,000 and $441,000, Reuters reported.

UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the violence was "completely unacceptable."

Britain has maintained the SBAs in Cyprus since it granted the former colony independence in 1960.

The 99-square-mile (255-square-km) territory is divided into two pockets on the island's southern and southeastern coast.