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A Turkish military officer has requested political asylum in Cyprus, whose northern third is controlled by troops from Turkey, The Daily Star reports, citing official CNA news.

It said the officer and his wife arrived at Larnaca marina on the south coast on Sunday, telling Greek Cypriot officials he faced persecution in Turkey and was seeking asylum.

The couple are staying on their boat at the marina under the surveillance of marine police, CNA said.
Police kept mum on what is seen as a sensitive political case, and government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said he did not comment on "matters of national security."

Ankara has carried out a massive arrest campaign against suspected supporters of exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, who it accuses of having masterminded a failed July 2016 coup.

Cypriot media outlet Sigmalive, quoting official sources, said the officer seeking asylum, whose name and rank have not been disclosed, had been accused of membership of the Gulen movement.