- NICOSIA, Cyprus: Cyprus’ defense ministry says three senior officers have been suspended in a probe into a deadly explosion that killed 13 people and triggered a political and economic crisis.
The ministry said in a statement Tuesday that a disciplinary probe has been launched against Col. Georgios Georgiades, Col. Lambros Lambrou and Lt. Col. Nicolas Georgiades.
Another two investigations, including a police-led criminal probe, are already underway into the July 11 detonation of 98 seized containers packed with Iranian munitions that were being stored at a naval base.
The blast also took out the island’s main power station and hobbled the presidency of Demetris Christofias amid calls for his resignation which he has ruled out.

