NICOSIA — An official says Cypriot authorities are holding one Algerian and five Turkish men in custody after they were stopped from entering the country amid “suspicions” over the purpose of their trip.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he’s not authorized to discuss security matters publicly, told The Associated Press that the French-speaking men arrived the night of Nov. 21 on a flight from Basel, Switzerland.

The official said the men told passport control officers they came to Cyprus for a few days on holiday.

Interpol was notified and the international police agency told Cypriot authorities that two Turks and the Algerian man were “close to” Islamic extremist groups.

The official said it’s likely all six will be put on a flight back to Switzerland on Nov. 23.