Cyprus president says island’s authorities not at fault for vanishing of Russian spy suspect

Cyprus president: Not our fault spy suspect fled

NICOSIA, Cyprus — The president of Cyprus said Saturday the island’s authorities are not to blame for the disappearance of an alleged fugitive Russian spy.

Dimitris Christofias said that 54-year-old Christopher Metsos “appears to have fled” the island, but insisted Cypriot authorities acted appropriately in handling the case. His comments come the day after Cyprus’s justice minister said he believes Metsos had fled the country.

Metsos is wanted in the United States on charges that he supplied money to the spy ring that operated under deep cover in America’s suburbs. He disappeared on Wednesday, a day after a Cypriot court freed him on bail.

Christofias deflected U.S. Justice Department criticism over Metsos’ release, saying U.S. authorities were slow in providing certain documents to Cypriot police.

“Only now are they providing them, only now are they preparing them,” Christofias told reporters as he left a Nicosia radio station where he gave an interview.

“I don’t think it is appropriate to apportion blame to the Cyprus Republic,” he said.

A spokesman for the Justice Department declined comment Saturday.