The arrest and conviction on three Bulgarians for espionage in Greece was a "terrible misunderstanding", the Greek lawyer of the trio, Iliana Vlasakidou said, as quoted by Sega daily on September 1.

The three Bulgarians were arrested on August 25 while taking photos of Greek military installations in the border town of Ormenio. Prior to the attest, they were seen in a train, taking photos of other Greek military objects. Greek examining magistrates found numerous pictures of Greek military facilities taken with the Bulgarians' camera, Agence France-Presse (AFP) said on August 29.

They were sentenced to 15 months of prison on charges of espionage. Two of the three Bulgarians are enlisted army staff, a sergeant and a private, Bulgaria’s Defence Ministry confirmed. They were on holidays in Greece during their annual leave. Their stay in Greece had nothing to do with their work for the ministry, the ministry said.

According to Sega daily, the three had returned to Bulgaria on August 30, having paid the bail amount while their appeal is being heard. “We are pleased with Greek justice,” the three were quoted as saying. It was the only comment they have made.

Vlasakidou said that the arrest of the Bulgarians was a misunderstanding and the military object in the pictures of the Bulgarians was caught by accident.

Sega said that the three were arrested while they were taking photos of themselves at the mouth of Maritsa river. The warnings that taking photos was forbidden were only in Greek, a language none of them spoke.

Greek authorities delayed two days to inform Bulgarian authorities for the arrest, Sega said.