Greece: Norwegian charity photographer held on spy charge

By PANAGIOTIS BALASKAS and DEREK GATOPOULOS
Associated Press

LESBOS, Greece (AP) — A 75-year-old Norwegian photographer has been arrested on the Greek island of Lesbos on espionage-related charges and appeared in court. Knut Bry was working with a local non-profit organization that helps migrants and refugees. Bry’s lawyer told the AP he would formally present his defense on Monday. But the lawyer said Bry “does not accept these allegations under any circumstances.” Greece’s center-right government has taken a tough line on migration, intercepting boats carrying migrants from Turkey and limiting the role played by charities in helping migrants. Taking photographs of military areas in Greece can lead to prosecution for illegally obtaining state secrets and can be punished by imprisonment.