The Telegraph: Chinese-Owned Hotel in Cyprus Allegedly Used to Spy on British Base

The Telegraph reported that intelligence and military sources had raised concerns that the hotel, which offers a commanding view of RAF Akrotiri, could have been used by foreign operatives to monitor activity at the British base.

The 16-storey hotel is located close enough to the British sovereign base area to provide what officials reportedly consider highly advantageous surveillance opportunities.

Several intelligence and military sources told the newspaper they were concerned that the complex could have been used as an observation post by foreign spies.

According to the report, a person equipped with nothing more than binoculars and a suitable vantage point could potentially monitor aircraft taking off and landing, as well as the movements of military personnel and officials inside and around the base.

Some officials working at RAF Akrotiri reportedly expressed concerns that the hotel could be used by Chinese authorities as a base for espionage activities.

Sources told The Telegraph that the hotel is now on RAF Akrotiri’s radar and that the base is expected to implement counter-surveillance measures.

A spokesperson for the company operating the hotel rejected the allegations, stressing that the property operates solely for tourism purposes and describing the claims as “completely baseless.”