Turkey releases Israeli couple accused of spying

Ankara, Nov 18: An Israeli couple held in Turkey on suspicion of espionage for the past week were released on Thursday, the Israeli government said.

The couple, Mordi and Natalie Oknin arrived at their home in Modiin, in central Israel. "Thank you to the entire nation of Israel. Thank you to everyone who helped and supported and got us freed," Natalie told reporters after landing.

After being greeted by a crowd of family and reporters at their home, they thanked those involved with their release. "Mordi and Natali, welcome home!" tweeted Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

Mordi and Natali, welcome home! 🇮🇱

After extensive efforts, Mordi and Natali Oknin were released from prison in Turkey and have just returned to Israel.

Thanks has been conveyed to all parties involved in their release.https://t.co/kCqac6znEP

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 18, 2021

Family members said the couple, both drivers for Israel's biggest bus company, were in Turkey on holiday.

Why did Turkey arrest the Israeli couple?

The pair were arrested last week after taking pictures of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's residence in Istanbul, the official Anadolu news agency reported at the time. A Turkish national was also detained.

Police arrested them after receiving a complaint from an employee of a radio and television tower in Istanbul. The witness said he had seen them take pictures of the president's residence from the tower.

They were charged with "political and military espionage" and were awaiting trial. Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid had denied that they work for any Israeli agency.

A senior envoy had been sent to seek their release. Bennett and Lapid both thanked the Turkish government for their cooperation in a joint statement.

"Let's hope that ties with Turkey will warm. I'm confident that, after days of such intensive contacts, connections were created that will naturally be of service to us in the future," said Matan Kahana, an Israeli cabinet minister.

The two nations' previously cordial ties have deteriorated during Erdogan's rule, since he is a vocal critic of Israel's policies towards Palestine.

Source: DW