Notes 
CONDITIONAL WITNESS ORDER

STATEMENT OF WITNESS
(C.J. Act, 1967, s9; M.C. Act 1980, M.C. Rules 1981, r. 70)

Statement of			Phedias SOTERIOU
Age of witness (Date of Birth)	Over 21
Occupation of witness		Detective Constable /159642.
Address				National Drugs Intelligence Unit 
				New Scotland Yard
				London SW1
				Tel 01 230- 2451 ext. 3150

This statement, * consisting of [empty field] pages each signed by me, 
is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and I make it knowing 
that, if it is tendered in evidence, I shall be liable to prosecution 
if I have wilfully stated in it anything which I know to be false or 
do not believe to be true.

Dated the 2nd day of October 1987

Signed P Soteriou
Signature Witnessed by [empty field]

I am an authorised Greek Interpreter. In that capacity,
I was asked to listen to 16 cassette tapes marked as follows:-
 1) Exhibit AD/4  (Side A)
 2) Exhibit AD/5  (Side A)
 3) Exhibit AD/5  (Side B)
 4) Exhibit AD/6  (Side A)
 5) Exhibit AD/7  (Side A)
 6) Exhibit AD/8  (Side A)
 7) Exhibit AD/9  (Side A)
 8) Exhibit AD/10 (Side A)
 9) Exhibit AD/11 (Side A)
10) Exhibit AD/12 (Side A)
11) Exhibit AD/13 (Side A)
12) Exhibit AD/14 (Side A)
13) Exhibit AD/15 (Side A)


14) Exhibit AD/16 (Side A)
15) Exhibit AD/17 (Side A)
16) Exhibit AD/18 (Side A)
   [Exhibit AD/18 (Side B)]
and write a resume of the contents of each of these exhibits. 

Exhibit AD/4 - Dated 8.5.87
This tape contains two telephone conversations.
The first conversation is in English between two males.
Male (1): Police Superintendent Andreas DEMETRIADES who
for the purpose of this conversation he adopts the name
of FRIXOS NICOLAIDES.
Male (2): Heavily scrambled voice of a man who calls himself
DIGSBY.
"The main point of this conversation is that DIGSBY offers
to introduce an expert to Mr Frixos NICOLAIDES, who allegedly
can assist the Cyprus Government and be a Liaison between
DIGSBY and NICOLAIDES".
Exhibit AD/4 - runs for about 18 minutes for the first recording.
[in English]
The second conversation is dated 11.5.87 and is between
two males. [in Greek]
Male (1) - Police Superintendent Andreas DEMETRIADES who
for the purpose of this conversation adopts the pseudonym
of 'Frixos NICOLAIDES'.
Male (2) - is a Greek Cypriot whose accent indicates that
he was either born in England, or was brought up in England
from very young age. He introduces himself as Symeon KAMBANELLAS.
Male (2) - rings Mr NICOLAIDES and introduces himself as


Symeon KAMBANELLAS. He explains that he was asked by Colonel
DIGSBY to get in contact with Mr NICOLAIDES. He claims
that his speciality is "Military Technology". There is
conversation regarding DI-TOX-B7 (Mustard Gas), and how
it can be prepared by using easily accessible detergents
and a catalyst in a pressure cooker.
This gas will be buried underground in "reaction chambers"
and when released, can be lethal within two (2) minutes
of it coming into contact with human beings or animals.
He explains that P.I.G's (Poison Injection Generators),
can be detected by use or a helicopter equipped with "infra
red" cameras. He offers his expertise provided (a) his
expenses are met by the Cyprus Government, and (b) everything 
is secure for him. He asks for arrangements to be made
with the Cyprus High Commission in London to pay him some
cash in advance.
He claims that he will require a "Scanning Receiver" which
will cost £8,500 to purchase, and another piece of equipment
which will cost £4,000. His other requirements are:- The
hire of a helicopter, some other equipment (not specified),
which will not cost a lot of money to buy, his personal
expenses of £10,000 and hotel accommodation.
He continues by claiming to be an expert in the following
fields.
1) Medicine
2) Chemistry


3) Physics
4) Electronics
5) Computers
6) Satellites
7) Telephones
plus "another 100 subjects".
It is agreed that it would cost the Cyprus Government
£25,000 or there abouts for his service.
The following is an extract from their conversation.
NICOLAIDES:- 	If we were to pay you these monies....
		the £25,000 or there abouts, ....... will
		it save us?
KAMBANELLAS:-	Yes. I will tell you what I have in mind,
		...... what will happen, and what you are
		to do.
NICOLAIDES:-	And what happens if we don't succeed?
KAMBANELLAS:-	I don't know.
NICOLAIDES:-	They will lynch me afterwards.
KAMBANELLAS:-	No, no. They will not lynch you. We will
		all be dead in any case. What are you
		worried about?
NICOLAIDES:-	You will be on your way back.
KAMBANELLAS:-	If l'm unlucky.... and I happen to be
		over there at the time, . . what can I do?
NICOLAIDES:- 	O.K. Mr Symeon. Ring me tomorrow and we
		talk about it. OK?


KAMBANELLAS:-	Yes. I have some very good ideas which
		you haven't used yet. There are things
		you ought to have done, and you haven't
		done them yet.
NICOLAIDES:-	Right. You tell me tomorrow. 
KAMBANELLAS:-	Yes. 
The above conversation runs for approximately 30 minutes. 
Exhibit AD/5
There are three conversations recorded on this tape. The
first conversation is between a man who claims to be Mr
Symeon KAMBANELLAS and Police Superintendent Andreas DEMETRIADES
who for the purpose of this conversation, uses the pseudonym
Frixos NICOLAIDES. This is a very lengthy conversation
covering a number of points. During this conversation,
KAMBANELLAS states that he was born in England and that
there are Greek words he does not understand. He asks Mr
NICOLAIDES to use easy words only. He also states that
he is using his mother's telephone for this call, and that
he is ringing from London. He goes on to say that for the
last four years he has been residing in Strovolos area of
Nicosia. He asks for £25,000 cash to be made available
at the Cyprus High Commission in London for him to collect
prior to his departure for Cyprus.
He then gives his personal explanation as to the following:-
1)		 DI-TOX-B7. According to him, "DI-TOX" could
be Interpreted as "Double Toxic", or "Die-Tox" i.e.


"Toxic-Death". The digit 7 in "B7" could be the year of
manufacture, i.e. 1987 or "87". He also notes that if someone
were to write 'B7' in a hurry. it could be made to look 
like "87" as in "1987".
His interpretations as to why the demand is signed in the
name of "NEMO" is an follows:
(a) "NEMO" was the name of the hero in Jules VERNE's a book
"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", and
(b) "NEMO" in Latin means "No body".
He explains that "Force Majeure" is French for "Act of God".
Further to "DI-TOX-B7", he states that this is not the name
of a known chemical compound, but that it is a "brand name"
used by the blackmailers. He assures Mr NICOLAIDES that
the term "DI-TOX-B7" will not be found listed in any reference
books.
Apart from his request of £25,000 KAMBANELLAS asks for a 
passport in his assumed name of Symeon KAMBANELLAS.
Mr NICOLAIDES tells KAMBANELLAS that he is a retired Health
Inspector who was called in as an adviser to the Cyprus
Government for any possible consequences.
KAMBANELLAS requests the following to be made available
for him during his stay in Cyprus. A doctor to treat his 
sprained ankle. Two rooms for him on the top floor at the
Hilton. One room for a female photographer who will be
accompanying him. One office. One car with chauffeur.
The above conversation is dated 12th May. 1987. During


this conversation, KAMBANELLAS states that on the next day
(13th May, 1987), he has to appear at Court at St. Ives, 
Cornwall for possession of an offensive weapon i.e. a knife.
He tells Mr NICOLAIDES that he has a "portable telephone"
and can ring him anytime from anywhere. There follows conversation
regarding the $15,000 ransom demand. Mr NICOLAIDES explains
that there are difficulties in raising that amount and that
there are restrictions as to that amount being allowed out
of Cyprus. KAMBANELLAS tells NICOLAIDES that Mr MAVRELLIS
(The Minister of Finance) is conversant with this demand.
This conversation finishes with Mr NICOLAIDES promising
to make the necessary approaches for KAMBANELLAS requests 
for £25,000 and the passport. KAMBANELLAS will be ringing
Mr NICOLAIDES in an hours time for the result. The above
conversation was timed between 8.40am to 10am (one hour
20 minutes).
The second conversation on exhibit AD/5 is again between
Symeon KAMBANELLAS and Police Superintendent Andreas DEMETRIADES
who uses the assumed name of Frixos NICOLAIDES. This conversation
lasts for 38 minutes and in dated 12.5.87. It is timed
between 11.35am to 12.13pm.
During this conversation, KAMBANELLAS is annoyed with Mr
NICOLAIDES who railed to make the necessary arrangements
for the £25,000 cash and passport to be made available for
him at the Cyprus High Commission in London. He asks Mr
NICOLAIDES for his present location (address), but Mr NICOLAIDES


refuses to disclose it to him. Mr NICOLAIDES also refuses
to give KAMBANELLAS his home telephone number.
Mr NICOLAIDES insists that KAMBANELLAS contacts Colonel
DIGSBY and persuades him to telephone Mr NICOLAIDES in Cyprus.
The third conversation on exhibit AD/5 is between Police
Superintendent Andreas DEMETRIADES who uses the assumed
name of Frixos NICOLAIDES, and a man who gives, his name
as Colonel DIGSBY. DIGSBY's voice is heavily disguised.
On this conversation, NICOLAIDES enquiries whether KAMBANELLA's
request for £25,000 cash in reasonable. DIGSBY assures
him that it is very reasonable and advises Mr NICOLAIDES
that they should not delay the matter. To emphasis his
point, DIGSBY says, "If I were in his position, I would
ask you to make one quarter of a million pounds available
to me". NICOLAIDES says "How much?" DIGSBY says, "One
quarter of a million....
minimum." DIGSBY stresses that this in his personal opinion
and that nobody else authorised him to say this. DIGSBY
then goes on to say "If I did not believe that this man
could be of use to you, I would not have suggested it to
him to telephone you in the first place". DIGSBY considers
KAMBANELLA's request for a passport, reasonable as well.
The above conversation lasts for approximately 20 minutes
and it is dated 12th May, 1987.
[Greek:]
Exhibit AD/6 - Dated 12th May, 1987. The conversation on


this tape is between Police Superintendent Andreas DEMETRIADES
who uses the pseudonym "Frixos NICOLAIDES" and another
man who calls himself Symeon KAMBANELLAS. KAMBANELLAS
tells NICOLAIDES that he just had a call from DIGSBY telling
him that he (DIGSBY) made contact with NICOLAIDES. During
this conversation it is decided that NICOLAIDES will be
liaising with the Government all day tomorrow (13.5.87),
and KAMBANELLAS will ring him on the 14th May, 1987 to
find out the outcome. KAMBANELLAS will be appearing at
Court on 13th May, 1987, but offers to telephone NICOLAIDES
using the car telephone. NICOLAIDES asks for all day tomorrow
(13.5.87), free, so that he can make his approaches.
The above conversation lasts for about 14 minutes.
[Greek:]
Exhibit AD/7 - Dated 14th May, 1987. This tape contains
one conversation between Police Superintendent Andreas
DEMETRIADES who uses the name "Frixos NICOLAIDES", and
another man who calls himself Symeon KAMBANELLAS.
In this conversation, NICOLAIDES tells KAMBANELLAS that
the High Commissioner or Cyprus in London, Mr PANAYIDES
has been informed and instructed to make £25,000 cash and
a passport available for Mr KAMBANELLAS.
KAMBANELLAS is going to contact Mr PANAYIDES personally
and then ring Mr NICOLAIDES. The above conversation lasted
for approximately 10 minutes.
Exhibit AD/8 - Dated 14th May, 1987. This tape contains
one conversation between Police Superintendent Andreas
DEMETRIADES who uses he pseudonym of "Frixos NICOLAIDES"


and a man who calls himself Symeon KAMBANELLAS. It lasts
for approximately 3 minutes.
KAMBANELLAS rings NICOLAIDES and tells him that he has
been ringing the High Commissioner with no good result.
"It's 9.15am and I don't get any reply yet." Mr NICOLAIDES
suggests that KAMBANELLAS keeps trying the telephone number
just in case the High Commissioner does not get in to his
office that early. KAMBANELLAS wants NICOLAIDES to consult
a Botanologist and find out if there are any plants such
as the poppy - that grow on freshly disturbed soil in Cyprus.
This according to him will assist in pinpointing the location
of the P.I.G's.
Exhibit AD/9
This tape contains the conversation between a man who calls
himself Colonel DIGSBY and the Private Secretary to the
President of Cyprus who introduces himself as Mr Harris
CONSTANTINOU.
Mr CONSTANTINOU tells Colonel DIGSBY that having been unable
to speak to the President, he spoke to Mr MAVRELLIS the
Ministry of Finance who confirmed that he had been in
communication with DIGSBY. Mr MAVRELLIS said the President
who assured him that "Force Majeure", and "Commander NEM0"
meant nothing to him. Mr CONSTANTINOU interrupted a meeting
in order to confirm that the President knew nothing about 
"Commander NEMO" or "Force Majeure". KAMBANELLAS wants
to know if there is a secure Telex No. he can use to
communicate with Mr CONSTANTINOU. Mr CONSTANTINOU tells.


him that there is no telex facility at the Presidential
Palace, but there is a secure Telex at the Foreign Ministry
in Nicosia. Mr CONSTANTINOU explains to DIGSBY that all
the Embassies have direct lines with the Foreign Ministry 
and if he wished something sent he could do it through
any of the Embassies. Colonel DIGSBY tells him that he
will send something through the London High Commissioner
Mr Tassos PANAYIDES, Tel. No. 499-8272.
DIGSBY claims that he is using a radio telephone via satellite
link to make this call. In fact it sounds like a portable
phone with its power supply running out, and his voice
fading away.
Exhibit AD/10
This tape contains a conversation between a man who calls
himself Colonel DIGSBY and the Private Secretary to the
President of Cyprus Mr Harris CONSTANTINOU.
DIGSBY rings Mr CONSTANINOU and enquires whether the parcel
he has sent to the High Commissioner in London has been
received by the President yet.
Mr CONSTANTINOU tells him that the High Commissioner informed
them by telephone that the parcel was received by him
and despatched to Cyprus, but it has not yet arrived at
the President's office.
DIGSBY claims that Commander NEMO tried to make contact
with the President's office but was unsuccessful.
DIGSBY wants to know whether TROODOS mountain is covered


in snow. This is confirmed by Mr CONSTANTINOU. DIGSBY
tells Mr CONSTANTINOU that he will explain the significance
or his question regarding the snow, at his next telephone
communication with him.
Exhibit AD/11
This tape contains a conversation between a man who calls
himself Colonel DIGSBY and the Private Secretary to the
President of Cyprus Mr Harris CONSTANTINOU or Mr Harris
VOVIDES.
In this conversation, DIGSBY enquiries whether his communication
has been received.
Mr CONSTANTINOU explains that the documents sent by DIGSBY
through the Cyprus High Commissioner in London were
received at about 9.30pm on the previous night.
DIGSBY wants to know if Mr CONSTANTINOU's name is
"VOVIDES". Mr CONSTANITINOU explains that he uses both
surnames i.e. VOVIDES and CONSTANTINOU, one being his
father's name and the other the family name. DIGSBY informs
Mr CONSTANTINOU that the document he sent to him via the
London High Commissioner was allegedly posted to the 
President or Cyprus last month.
He states that it was posted to the President from the
Main Post Office in Nicosia. Mr CONSTANTINOU informs
DIGSBY that due to the seriousness or this matter, the
Cyprus High Commissioner in London has been called to
Cyprus. DIGSBY in going to telephone Mr CONSTANTINOU


again in the afternoon and suggest the name of a man currently
residing in Cyprus, who allegedly is an expert on these 
matters. He stipulates that this man is not working for
him (DIGSBY) but had done so in the past.
DIGSBY further suggests that Mr CONSTANTINOU studies the
document carefully and prepares a list of questions he
may wish answered by DIGSBY at their next telephone conversation.

Exhibit AD/12

This tape contains the telephone conversation between
a man who calls himself Colonel DIGSBY, and the Private
Secretary to the President of Cyprus Mr VOVIDES. This
recording is of very poor quality.
During this conversation, Mr VOVIDES tells Colonel DIGSBY
that the document is being studied by both the President
and himself. According to Mr VOVIDES, the President is
considering the idea of appointing a small committee of
advisers to assist him with this. However, the Cyprus
Government will need at least 3 more days to fully study
the documents and prepare a questionnaire by next Monday
morning.
There is further conversation regarding the original document
which according to DIGSBY was allegedly posted to the
President of Cyprus some time ago. Mr VOVIDES assures


him that it was not received, and explains that he does
not wish to start an enquiry with the Post Office for
fear of a leakage. DIGSBY sends his regards to the President
of Cyprus, and promises to ring back on Monday next.
Exhibit AD/13

This tape contains the telephone conversation between
the Private Secretary to the President or Cyprus Mr VOVIDES
and a man who calls himself Colonel DIGSBY.
This recording is of very poor quality with heavy background 
interference.
In this conversation, Mr VOVIDES reads out a number of
questions to Colonel DIGSBY and invites his personal opinion
on each:-
VOVIDES:-	"Do you think out of your experience, that
		NEMO is likely to make this demand to the
		Government of Cyprus?"
DIGSBY:-	"Yes! He will make this demand".
VOVIDES:-	"Second question. Do you know of a similar
demand made by NEMO, and what was the result?"
DIGSBY:-	"I know or several situations. All of them..err..
the Governments have paid".
VOVIDES:-	"The third question is about the ransom
amount. Fifteen million dollars is impossible actually
for us to pay".


DIGSBY:-	"Well, I can tell you that some countries have
paid an much an one hundred".
VOVIDES:- "Excuse me?"
DIGSBY:-	"Some countries have paid as much as one hundred".
VOVIDES:- "Yes! But probably rich countries. We're a
small island".
DIGSBY:-	"I have nothing to comment".
---------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Unreadable on tape
---------------------------------------------------------------------
VOVIDES:-	"Now can we be assured that once the money is
paid nothing will happen in Cyprus?"
DIGSBY:-	"So far, he has kept his word".
---------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Unreadable on tape
---------------------------------------------------------------------
VOVIDES:-	"Do you know on what frequency the R.E.C.3 signal
will be sent off and activate the P.I.G.'s?"
DIGSBY:-	"I understand that it is fully remote controlled
via satellite. He uses a number of bands. We know what
bands. They cover quite a number of bands. A lot of
different bands.
NOTE:-	"Pips" are beard in the background which indicates
that DIGSBY is using a pay-phone for this call. DIGSBY
alleges that they are losing the satellite link and there
is no more time for further questions. He promises to
ring back in about 20 minutes time.


Exhibit AD/14
This tape contains part of the conversation between Mr
VOVIDES and Colonel DIGSBY. For the first two minutes,
the tape in blank. The recording commences halfway through
their conversation. It appears to be connected with the
previous call (Exhibit AD/13). After a while it goes
blank again for about 1½ minutes before the final part
of their conversation. This call appears to be made from
a pay-phone. Pips are again heard in the background. 
DIGSBY:-	".....and usually he only allows you a few
minutes to respond".
VOVIDES:-	"Do you think he is going to send to us, the
same thing you sent us?"
DIGSBY:-	"As far as he is concerned he has already sent
it to you".
VOVIDES:-	"Yes, but we have not received anything. So,
he can not come forward and say. I have this demands....
If he doesn't know if we received it or not. We didn't
receive anything".
DIGSBY:-	"We don't know how good his intelligence is".
VOVIDES:-	"Do you think he is going to contact us again?"
DIGSBY:- 	"Almost certainly. is there still snow on the
mountains?"
VOVIDES:-	"A bit. Very little now".
DIGSBY:-	"Well. You should expect to hear from him any
day now".


VOVIDES:-	"Any day?"
DIGSBY:-	"When you do hear from him, you will only have one hour or 
two to respond at the most".
VOVIDES:-	"One hour?"
DIGSBY:-	"You will be expected to be ready".
VOVIDES:-	"One hour! it's so short! Nobody can decide
in one hour".
DIGSBY:-	"Well, you can make all the preparations for
it at least!".
VOVIDES:-	"I don't know".
DIGSBY:-	"What is the last question?"
VOVIDES:-	"The last question is ... err ... in Cyprus we have 
restrictions by law, not allowing us to take large amounts
of money out or this island. Bearing in mind the document
in our hands... the document You sent us I mean, do you
have any advice? I mean, the Government or the Minister
cannot go to the Central Bank and ask for an amount of
money and take it out. They have to give reasons.... I
mean.... it has to go to the House of Representatives
to be enacted. It's not so easy to give out a large amount
of money".
DIGSBY:-	"I imagine that Commander NEMO has taken all 
that into account and is expected to do what is necessary"
There follows short conversation regarding the availability
of a telex facility in Cyprus. The recording then is cut
off for a while. When the recording resumes it is agreed


between VOVIDES and DIGSBY that DIGSBY will ring back
later on in the evening.
Exhibit AD/15
This tape contains the telephone conversation between
Mr VOVIDES and Colonel DIGSBY.
DIGSBY explains that he hasn't been able to make contact
with Mr VOVIDES for a number of days. Mr VOVIDES tells
him that it was a National Holiday in Cyprus and that
the office was closed. He tells DIGSBY that the President
of Cyprus is no longer in favour of forming a committee
of advisers, but he is now thinking of appointing an expert
from the Ministry of Health to assist him. DIGSBY tells
Mr VOVIDES that he is still trying to locate a Greek Cypriot
who is an expert in these matters, but he has been unable
to do so yet as this ran is travelling in Europe at the
time. According to DIGSBY, this Greek Cypriot is an expert on
Computers, Electronics, Advance Countermeasure Technics
and Explosives. 'He in a very able man. A private individual.
Not a member of our group'. DIGSBY then goes on to say
that he in ringing from Vienna, and that NEMO with some
of his top executives are in Austria as well.
DIGSBY:-	"We are ready to move against the whole group
but we cannot do anything until the danger is lifted
from Cyprus".
Then DIGSBY asks:-	"Do you have the ransom payment ready?
We are only a few days away from the deadline".
VOVIDES:- "We want your advice first!"


DIGSBY:-	"I would prepare yourselves for the worst. You
are not dealing with schoolboys here. You are dealing
with an organisation. He will only give you four (4) hours
notice. If you don't pay within the 4 hours he specifies,
you will become a target".
VOVIDES:-	"We haven't received anything from him yet.
Only from you".
DIGSBY:-	"I will be calling you tomorrow, and you will
definitely be hearing from NEMO within the next few days.
Exhibit AD/16
This tape contains the telephone conversation between
two males. One gives his name as Colonel DIGSBY. The second
one is believed to be Mr MAVRELLIS the Minister or Finance.
Mr MAVRELLIS tells DIGSBY that he has arranged to meet
the President or Cyprus at 4.30pm. There is conversation
regarding the existence of REC3.
DIGSBY:-	"We have 100% proof that R.E.C.3 exists. Its
a highly sophisticated and highly secure method. It's
virtually impregnable... There is only one way to neutralise
its effect .... by using several tons of bleaching powder
on each unit before it's activated". Then DIGSBY goes
on to say, "You have very short time before one or more 
of these units are activated".
MAVRELLIS:-	"Now long?"
DIGSBY:-	"I don't know...."
At this point, the tape continues with the voices of the
recording engineers and background noises before the recording


of the actual conversation between DIGSBY and Mr MAVRELLIS
resumes. The quality of this recording is very poor and
at stages unreadable. DIGSBY goes on to say that Mr KYPRIANOU
(the President of Cyprus) has been fully briefed on this
matter.
MAVRELLIS:-	"Do you think that these explosives have been
planted in Cyprus?"
DIGSBY:-	 "....Technical work has been deployed around
Cyprus"
MAVRELIS:-	"Throughout Cyprus?"
DIGSBY:-	"......by this organisation. These weapons
are automatic. They won't trigger off their own, but they
are in radio communication with a central point where we
have no idea where it is .... concealed".
MAVRELLIS:-	"Do we have any idea where we can locate them?" 
DIGSBY:-	"None whatsoever. All we know is that these units
were concealed some time in the last six months". 
MAVRELLIS:-	"Six months?"
DIGSBY:-	"And they could be anywhere .... in a parked car,
they could be in a building, they could be buried in the
ground......"
NOTE:-	It in of interest to note two points in this conversation. 
1) DIGSBY, in answer to a question by Mr MAVRELLIS, says
"Yes", but uses the Greek word for "Yes". 
2) When DIGSBY mentions Mr KYPRIANOU, he pronounces that
name in such a way that only a Greek normally could. These
two points strengthen my belief that despite all the scrambling


used to disperse DIGSBY's voice, he is a Greek who lived
a number of years in England.
Exhibit 17
This tape contains the telephone conversation between
Mr MAVRELLIS (the Minister or Finance) and a man who
calls himself Colonel DIGSBY. Mr MAVRELLIS tells DIGSBY
that he has met with the President, but the President
knows nothing about "Force Majeure". DIGSBY tells Mr 
MAVRELLIS that "Force Majeure" will be asking for a ransom
and if that is not paid, he (MAVRELLIS), will be the
first victim of the terrorist. He then explains how deadly
Dioxine [c3 3c] is.
In this conversation, DIGSBY alleges that he belongs
to MI6, and he admits that he is using a scrambler. He
also explains that P.I.G's stands for Poison Injection
Generators.
Exhibit AD/18 - Side "A"
This tape contains the recording of two females unknown
preparing what appears to be a speech to be made by the
Minister of Commerce and Finance on the following subject:-
"Automation, Imports, Exports, Industry, Overpopulation,
Drought, Famine, 3rd World Countries, Industry & Production
Awards, Taxation, Health Measures and other related matters,
all of which are of no evidential value.
Exhibit AD/18 - Side 'B'
This tape contains the telephone conversation of Mr MAVRELLIS
the Minister of Finance -, and a man who claims to be


DIGSBY attached to the British Military Intelligence.
This recording is of very poor quality and at times DIGSBY
is unreadable.
In this conversation DIGSBY tells Mr MAVRELLIS that it
is of utmost urgency that he speaks to the President
regarding "Force Majeure". Mr MAVRELLIS tells him that
the President is resting at the moment and he (MAVRELLIS),
would not be able. to contact him before 3.30pm. or 4pm. 
Mr MAVRELLIS:-	"I hope that by 3.30 to 4 o'clock I shall
be able to speak to him, but you say that it is about
a request or demands which have been made on the Government
of Cyprus from an organisation called "Force Majeure". 
DIGSBY:-	"That's right".
Mr MAVRELLIS:-	"And, you have information about this
organisation".
DIGSBY:-	"We have the intelligence to help you".
Mr MAVRELLIS:-	"To help us. is there any place I could
contact you in case I make contact with the President
earlier?"
DIGSBY:-	"For security reasons I would like to leave
my options open"...
Mr MAVRELLIS:-	"I am said that you are of the British
High Commission".
DIGSBY:-	"I said, I was with the British Military
Intelligence".
DIGSBY then promises to ring again at 3.30pm.
The recording device is left switched on. The rest of


the tape is "background noises".
All conversations mentioned in this statement with Symeon
KAMBANELLAS are in Greek. All conversations with DIGSBY
are in English.
Although I listened to exhibits AD/4 to AD/18 in numerical
order, they are not in correct chronological sequence.

Signed P Soteriou
Signature Witnessed by [empty field]

Notes:

  1. Detective Constable SOTERIOU has produced summaries of tape Exhibit NP/676 and Exhibits AD/1, AD/2 and AD/3.

  2. Every effort has been made to preserve the layout of the original police statement. Gaps in continuity are usually indications of "undisclosed material". On this page the issue is not clear and is not considered further. [Hand-written annotations are shown thus.]

  3. Mr Koupparis was never given full access to these tape exhibits. Nicholas Hamblin (Junior Counsel to Michael Beckman QC) has admitted 'destroying' the defence copies before the appeal was heard. The accuracy of SOTERIOU's translations cannot be determined without access to the original tapes. The Crown continues to refuse disclosure of these exhibits.

  4. Mr Koupparis, who cannot remember making these telephone calls in any great detail, maintains that SOTERIOU's translation bears little relationship to the corresponding sections of the tapes he was allowed to hear after a personal application to Judge Brian Smedley. After listening to one tape with defence Counsel Mr Anthony Arlidge QC, Mr Koupparis asked the Judge to order an examination of all 18 tapes by a defence expert. Mr Henry Bland was retained to provisionally examine three tapes. He faxed his report to Hallmark Atkinson Wynter, the instructing solicitors, on 20 April, 1989. A short while later Mr Arlidge QC quit the defence brief and walked out of the trial leaving Mr Koupparis unrepresented! Mr Bland's report rendered the tapes inadmissable under the terms of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE). The case against Mr (and Mrs) Koupparis had effectively collapsed, but Counsel, instructing solicitors and the Judge quit the trial while Mr Bland's report vanished. Mr Koupparis was tried again by a new cast of courtroom jesters who say they don't know anything about Mr Bland's report!

  5. Mr Bland's Expert Report is now on-line. After his release, Mr Koupparis, a former security consultant with contacts in the intelligence community, hired private investigators to track down the case papers Mr Neil Sampson of solicitors Sampson & Co. claimed had been lost by the solicitors' Document Exchange (DX) service whilst in transit to another firm -allegations denied by the DX). Mr Bland's report was recovered after a tip-off.

  6. Detective Constable SOTERIOU was not an independent translator under the terms of PACE His summaries and translations were produced on behalf of the prosecution. Mr Koupparis was under no obligation to accept his heavily biased and distorted summaries. Mr Koupparis requested full disclosure of the tapes along with an independent translation. He instructed Counsel to present the actual tapes alongside SOTERIOU's summaries to expose the distortions! Mr Michael Kallisher QC (defence Counsel at the time), overcame these 'problems' by formally accepting SOTERIOU's summaries on Mr Koupparis' behalf - without his knowledge or permission. Under English law Mr Koupparis was unable to resile from that position. He did not know that Mr Kallisher had sabotaged his defence until long after he had sacked Counsel for trying to have him committed under the Mental Health Act!

  7. A surviving copy of SOTERIOU's statement bears annotations in the distinctive handwriting of one of the defence lawyers. This shows that Counsel had sufficient access to the tapes to enable 'alterations' to be made to SOTERIOU's summaries. Two examples illustrate the point: 
    1. DIGSBY:-	"I imagine that Commander NEMO has taken all
that into account and [it] is expected to [you should] do what is necessary"

    2. MAVRELLIS:-	"Do we [you] have any idea where we can locate them?"
    It follows that defence Counsel must have known these tapes were seriously flawed, even if Counsel now claims ignorance of Mr. Henry Bland's damning technical examination of tapes AD/9, AD/14 and AD/16 carried out while Anthony Arlidge QC held the defence brief. Mr Bland's report was suppressed at the final trial where Michael Beckman QC and Nicholas Hamblin acted for the defence. Allowing the prosecution to present these summaries without challenging their accuracy or, indeed, the authenticity of the tapes themselves, was a perversion of justice on the part of Counsel.

  8. Justice Macpherson, who presided over the final trial, was aware of the flaws in the taped evidence, by his own admission. Those flaws would have rendered the tapes inadmissible at a properly conducted trial: We can now appreciate the Judge's deviousness!

  9. Mr Koupparis' defence does not rely on the tape exhibits, which are irrelevant to the determination of his innocence. These statements are presented here to expose the corruption of those who conspired to secure his wrongful conviction for political reasons.
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