EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: EUR 17/08/94

Distr: UA/SC

24 May 1994

Further information on UA 85/94 (EUR 17/02/94, 4 March 1994) - and follow-up: EUR 17/05/94, 26 April - Legal Concern / Medical Concern / Prisoner of Conscience

CYPRUS:Theocharis Theokli THEOCHARIDIS, aged 53

The trial of Jehovah's Witness Theocharis Theokli Theocharidis has been postponed until 1 July 1994. Because of his religion, he has refused to perform reservist military exercises due to begin on 28 April and faces a possible prison term of between one to five months.

He has extremely poor eye-sight and suffers from enlargement of the heart and high blood pressure. His applications for exemption from military obligations on health grounds have still not been accepted.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters in Greek, English, or your own language:

- stressing that in view of his poor health, Theocharidis Theokli Theocharidis should be exempted from any military exercise, and urging the authorities to promptly accept his applications for exemption in order to spare him any further stress;

- pointing out that if Theocharis Theokli Theocharidis is imprisoned, Amnesty International will consider him to be prisoners of conscience;

- calling for the introduction of a wholly civilian service of non-punitive length in line with the resolution 1989/59 of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and with the Recommendation No. R(87) 8 of the Council of Europe.

APPEALS TO:

1) Mr Glafcos Klerides,

President of the Republic of Cyprus,

Presidential Palace,

Nicosia, Cyprus

Faxes: 2-445016

Telegrams: President Klerides, Nicosia, Cyprus

Salutation: Dear President

2) Dr Konstandinos Iliadhis,

Minister of Defence,

Ministry of Defence,

Emmanouil Roidi 4,

Nicosia, Cyprus

Telegrams: Defence Minister Iliadhis, Nicosia, Cyprus

Telexes: 6006 MOD CY

Salutation: Dear Minister

3) Mr Alexandros Evangelou,

Minister of Justice,

Ministry of Justice,

1 Diogenes St,

Engonti, Cyprus

Telegrams: Justice Minister Evangelou, Engonti, Cyprus

Faxes: 2-461427.

Telexes: 6116 MINJUST CY

Salutation: Dear Minister

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of CYPRUS accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 1 July 1994.