CHARGES were dropped yesterday against a Greek student suspected of being behind a terrorism plot.

Charalambos Dousemetzis, 25, who studied at both Newcastle and Northumbria universities, has always denied being involved with the Greek terrorist organisation November 17.

And when he appeared at Bedlington magistrates court, in Northumberland, all char-ges against him were dropped.

Solicitors for the Crown Prosecution Service said they had decided not to pursue the matter as it was not in the public interest.

Mr Dousemetzis' solicitor Gerard Tompkinson said: "I had confirmation from the CPS that they were discontinuing the prosecution against Mr Dousemetzis although they did not go into details."

Mr Dousemetzis was arrested at his home in Simonside Terrace, Heaton, Newcastle, on February 25.

He was charged with two offences under the Terrorism Act 2000, namely possessing articles which could be used for terrorism and has been in custody ever since.

The alleged items are two rubber stamps in the shape of a logo used by the outlawed Greek group November 17, and a pamphlet about the organisation written in English.

His detention sparked a diplomatic row between Britain and Greece.

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou said his country's protests had been sent to the Foreign Office and a formal complaint was also sent to Britain's envoy in Greece, for his failure to inform a senior minister.

Foreign Ministry spokes-man Panos Beglitis said the Government found out about the arrest through the media.