A Greek policeman who had been detained by Israeli authorities in Jerusalem was released late on Saturday through the intervention of the Greek Foreign Affairs Ministry, diplomatic sources said.
The ministry is investigating the circumstances under which the man was detained and will take all necessary action.
A Greek delegation was in Jerusalem on Saturday to receive the Holy Light for Greek Orthodox Easter from the Holy Sepulchre. According to media reports, the man detained was a Greek consulate guard.
Greece's main opposition SYRIZA party said Saturday that it demands an explanation from the Foreign Ministry for the arrest of the bodyguard of the Greek general consular of Jerusalem.
“SYRIZA - PS requests the immediate provision of clarifications from the foreign ministry regarding the unprecedented incident of the arrest of a member of the guard of the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem by the Israeli forces at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the ceremony of the Touching of the Holy Light,” it said in a statement.
Urging the ministry to inform the public about the incident, the party added, “We anticipate a reaction of the Greek government towards the Israeli side, in line with the seriousness of the episode.”
