Czech Republic president pledges support for jailed Arma devs - Report

The president of the Czech Republic has stepped in to pledge his support for the two jailed Arma developers who are currently being held in Greece on charges of espionage.

Czech leader Václav Klaus wrote a personal letter to Greek President Karolos Papoulias (translated by Eurogamer), urging him to treat the matter with "special attention".

"This case is very sensitive to the Czech public and also to me as president of the Republic," Klaus wrote.

"The fate of our citizens anywhere in the world matters to us. I have no doubt that the democratic Greek authorities...will consider this unfortunate matter impartially and independently. Even I do not in any way want to interfere with their work.

"I want to ask you, Mr President, to follow this unfortunate affair with special attention considering the excellent relations between our nations so this does not throw unnecessary shade onto our relationship."

The two Bohemia Interactive developers Ivan Buchta and Martin Pezlar remain in Greek jail after 70 days. They were recently denied bail.

Buchta and Pezlar were arrested on the Greek island of Lemnos in September for spying on a military compound. According to Greek reports, the pair was in possession of videos and photos of military compounds in Lemnos at the time of their arrest.

The Greek island is the main location for Bohemia Interactive's upcoming shooter Arma III, with the two reportedly claiming that they were collecting reference material for the game.

Since their arrest, Bohemia Interactive has insisted that Buchta and Pezlar were on holiday, and did not enter any military areas or shoot any footage of military objects for use in Arma III. A support site for the pair has been established by the community.

A representative of Arma studio Bohemia Interactive told GameSpot earlier this week that due to ongoing political strife in Greece, Buchta and Pezlar are no closer to release.

Buchta and Pezlar face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.