Plane 'spy' has Turkey link

LONDON, England -- A British plane spotter accused of spying in Greece has admitted attending an air show at the invitation of Turkey.

Euro MP Richard Howitt who has been fighting for the release of Paul Coppin and 13 other people arrested with him, says the revelation could harm Coppin's chances of freedom.

Greek foreign ministry officials are said to be taking a "serious" view of reports that Coppin -- the leader of the group of plane spotters, including one woman, held on spying charges for 24 days -- was a guest of the Turkish armed forces in May this year.

He has been quizzed by Greek authorities about the visit to an air show in Turkey but has denied spying or links with Turkish intelligence services, insisting he was there as an accredited aviation journalist.

Howitt said any report linking the 57-year-old to Turkey could damage his chances of winning an early release.

He told the Press Association: "Given the long-standing enmity with Turkey, this report is bound to have a damaging effect in Greece itself.

"Yet I believe it is just one more example of the rumours and misinformation thrown up because of the inordinate delay in dealing with this case.

"When I met Paul in jail two days ago he volunteered the information to me that he had been questioned about attending an air show in Turkey, explaining his only connection was as an accredited aviation journalist, something he has done in many countries around the world.

"Paul has been questioned for two hours at a time when others have had 15-minute interviews and I know he fears being made a scapegoat so that the Greek security forces can save face."

Howitt said he was still confident that every member of the group -- 12 Britons and two Dutch nationals -- would be freed once all the evidence was heard in open court.

They appeared before an investigative judge last Tuesday in a closed hearing and an assessment of the evidence against them is due to be presented to three judges on Monday.

The judges would then meet in private on Tuesday and could reach a decision as early as Wednesday, Howitt said.

If the group are ordered to stand trial it could take up to a year for the case to come to court and the spying charges carry a maximum jail sentence of 20 years.