ARMA devs’ arrest a “completely absurd misunderstanding”

Bohemia devs held under suspicion of espionage in Greece

Tarryn van der BylSeptember 17, 2012

The two Bohemia Interactive employees arrested last week in Greece after taking photos of a military base on the island of Limnos have claimed that they were in the country on holiday, and that the whole thing is a just a bad sitcom plot.

The men were detained on suspicion of spying, and according to investigating authorities, “they had in their possession materials that may endanger the national security of Greece.”

But according to the two men, Ivan Buchta and Martin Pezlar, it’s “all a completely absurd misunderstanding that will certainly be quickly explained.”

Refuting claims that Buchta and Pezlar had entered a restricted area to acquire surveillance photos for use in development of ARMA III, Bohemia reps have instead said in an official statement that:

“They took photographs and videos in public areas, as countless tourists arriving to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of Greece may well do,” the reps said in a statement. “These included a short video as they drove through the main road passing around the international airport, where in one short part of the video off in the distance some hangars and other buildings of the complex can be seen. It’s very likely that many tourists may have pictures similar to those taken by Ivan and Martin in their own family albums, without being aware that they put themselves or their families at risk.”

If the Greek military is so paranoid people taking photos of their stuff, maybe they shouldn’t leave it lying around where anybody can see it. Or maybe they’re planning to arrest everybody on the internet too.