ArmA 3 devs accused of espionage denied first appeal, bail

Ivan Buchta and Martin Pezlar, a pair of ArmA 3 developers arrested and charged with spying, have been denied an appeal and bail by a Greek court, Eurogamer reports.

Buchta and Pezlar have been in jail for 68 days now awaiting trial; if convicted, they could serve up to 20 years. Polygon reported previously on the accusations made in September for allegedly photographing Greek military installations. Both men were arrested on the island where ArmA 3 takes place, although the developers claimed to simply be there as tourists.

Previous statements made by Bohemia Interactive claim that any photos or videos taken were in public areas, and that material was no different from that of any other tourist.

HelpIvanMartin.org, a website created to spread awareness and rally fans to petition for the pair's release, translated and posted a recent article from Czech news site Rozhlaz.cz. The article includes a repsonse from Buchta and Pezlar's parents, who have been in contact with their sons since the decision was made.

"Our boys no longer tell us on the phone that it's alright, that they're handling it," one of the mothers said. "After the court's decision we only hear from them something that no parent ever wants to hear: Mom, dad, please save us."

"They're in a cell with over 25 people, they sleep on the ground," Buchta's father said. "They have food twice a day, they have to buy toiletries on their own."

Both families have been in contact with the ministry of foreign affairs and are reportedly unhappy with the ministry's actions. The ministry argues that they have been working to free both men to the best of their ability.

"The consul has been to the Greek ministry of foreign affairs, she is in contact with the ministry of defense," Jana Reinišová, head director of the justice section in the ministry, said. "We're doing everything we can to help the two gentlemen."

According to Reinišová, both men will be allowed one more appeal.