Israeli detained 12 days in Uzbekistan after bullets found in bag
Recently discharged soldier now on his way back to Israel; officials urge Israelis to check luggage before flying
An Israeli has been held at the airport in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for the past 12 days, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said Monday.
The man, in his 20s, was detained by Uzbek authorities after 13 bullets were discovered in his luggage as he was transferring between planes on his way from Israel to Thailand.
The man, recently discharged from the IDF, was not placed under arrest, the ministry said in a statement, but had his passport taken from him and was not allowed to board a flight out of the country until Monday.
He was expected to land in Israel late Monday morning.
Israeli embassy personnel visited him in the airport and provided him with kosher meals obtained from the local Jewish community.
“The Foreign Ministry reiterates its warning to Israeli citizens traveling overseas to carefully examine the contents of their luggage before flying abroad, out of a concern that there may be bullets or other forbidden items that could lead to their arrest, a lawsuit, heavy fines and the complete disruption of their travel plans,” ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said in the statement.
