IT is now nearly a month since the 12 train spotters were arrested in Greece for alleged spying -- and the story seems to get more bizarre by the day.

Today we learn the group leader once travelled to Turkey as a guest of its armed forces just six months earlier, in a move which is now being said to damage the case of the dozen travellers.

But is it really so bizarre that a man whose hobby is plane spotting would be interested in military aircraft?

What is it about 12 anorak-wearers that is scaring the Greek authorities?

We've so far learned the aircraft they were taking pictures of was not in use -- hardly the stuff your average spy would be interested in, then.

And if Turkey or Cyprus is really spying on Greece, then why hire 12 people from the UK whose hobby is a source of ridicule akin to that of a trainspotter?

The Baxenden brother of one of the people being held, Andrew Jenkins, is as confused as anyone else.

He is maintaining his brother's innocence and is adamant the group has done nothing wrong.

Interventions by Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw have so far failed to make any impact.

The whole affair has now become an embarrassment and it would seem the Greek authorities are intent on seeing some sort of punishment dished out -- as if a month in a sweltering cell is not enough for taking a few snaps.

Let's hope the judges who meet tomorrow to decide the group's fate see sense and let them go.

Anything else would be just plain crazy.