Greek PM offers hope to spy-case planespotters

The British planespotters convicted of spying in Greece had their hopes raised yes- terday when the country's Prime Minister said he believed there would be a "positive development" at an appeal hearing next week.

Eleven of the 12 aircraft enthusiasts are due to return to Kalamata in southern Greece to hear whether they will have their names cleared or be made to serve prison sentences of up to three years.

The arrest and detention of the Britons last November at an air base had threatened to poison relations between London and Athens, where the hobby of logging military jets is unheard of. But Costas Simitis, the Greek Prime Minister, appeared to hint that the matter would be resolved amicably at a meeting with Tony Blair in Downing Street yesterday.

Mr Simitis said: "I think there will be a positive development but in our system it is for the courts to decide."

It was not clear whether he was suggesting the convictions would be overturned, or simply seeking to dispel fears that the Britons' appeal could be delayed until next year.

His words were given a cautious welcome by the spotters and those campaigning on their behalf, who had earlier held their own news conference to set out their grounds for appeal.

The 12 Britons and two Dutchmen were held in police cells and prisons for more than six weeks until they were eventually released on £9,000 bail each. They admitted making notes at several Greek airbases but denied spying, insisting they were pursuing their hobby and had official permission to be at the bases.

Six of the spotters were convicted of spying in April and given three-year jail sentences. The other six were found guilty of aiding and abetting and given one-year suspended sentences.