Epping: An Epping woman whose brother is among the 12 Britons facing spying charges in Greece after being arrested during a plane-spotting trip has spoken about the "bizarre" episode which could see him facing a 20-year jail sentence.

Euro-MP Richard Howitt is supporting Anna Skinner, of St John's Road, as she waits for news of her brother, Antoni Adamiak, who, following a court appearance on Tuesday, faces another two weeks in prison before learning whether he faces a trial.

He was on a Touchdown Tours trip to airfields, and a visit to a Farnborough-style airshow, when the party was arrested.

Mrs Skinner told the Guardian: "They'd gone specifically for the airshow which they'd had an invitation to and built the trip round it."

She said the party had planned to visit other bases and then spend a few days on a touring holiday.

The Bbc has reported that British diplomats understand the group's written invitation would have included a strict no-photography clause. It said the group has denied taking any photographs and say they were using only binoculars.

Speaking about the time she heard that her brother was being held, Mrs Skinner said: "I just couldn't believe it, it was just bizarre. It was to the point that it was funny because I just couldn't believe it could be true. Obviously it soon became apparent it was true.

"We'd seen information on Teletext and Ceefax but then we presumed they would be released immediately because it was just a misunderstanding. I think we felt it was a cultural misunderstanding because you don't have many people who plane spot in that way in Greece.

"We just presumed the case would be dismissed and they would be released, but each time we came to a date when we presumed they would be released things became more serious."

Initially Mr Adamiak was held in a police station but is now in a prison.

Mr Adamiak, 36, who is divorced and lives in Isleworth, west London, spoke to relatives, including his 15-year-old daughter who sent him text phone messages, following his arrest on Thursday, November 8, but since his move to prison they have been out of contact.

Mrs Skinner added: "We just want him to come home. It's just a situation which seems to have spiralled out of control. Really what we hope is that it's a misunderstanding that can just be sorted out before it gets more bizarre."

Mr Howitt secured individual legal support that the family felt was badly needed.

Following Tuesday's court ruling, he said: "The judge's decision is completely nonsensical. There's absolutely no point in keeping the issue on hold for another two weeks. These people and their families have been through enough already. It's inhumane to treat them like this."

He is calling on the European Parliament president to arrange diplomatic intervention with the Greek authorities, and he plans to fly to Greece tomorrow (Friday) seeking to meet the prisoners and their lawyers.

November 30, 2001 15:30