OUR exclusive interview with York air enthusiast Andy Jenkins finds him in good spirits. Despite the ordeal of being arrested by armed guards, imprisoned in a Greek police cell and enduring a seven-hour court hearing, he and his fellow prisoners are "having a laugh whenever we can".

This attitude speaks strongly of the 14-strong group's belief in their own innocence. It also confirms that they are being treated well by the Greek authorities.

But there is no denying the serious nature of the charges they face. Andy has been told that he faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years if found guilty of spying. He is clearly bewildered as to how he came to be in such a predicament.

After first dismissing the idea that he could be a spy, Andy used his interview to dispel suggestions that he was a nave tourist who blindly stumbled into trouble. The group were invited on the trip which included the visit to Kalamata air base by the Greek military, he says. After the airborne attacks on America, the tour leader checked if the trip was still viable and was told yes.

Despite this assurance, it is clear that the raw nerves caused by September 11 played a part. Every military installation is now on the highest possible alert.

In such circumstances it is easy to see how the motives of a group of foreigners with cameras taking a keen interest in military aircraft might be interpreted by the Greek authorities.

Andy insists that the group did not take photographs at the base. The only pictures of aircraft on film confiscated from his camera came from his visit to Elvington air show, he says.

If his account is borne out by the Greek investigation, there is every hope that Andy will soon be a free man and on his way home.

We hope so.

Updated: 11:35 Wednesday, November 14, 2001