An Israeli citizen was arrested on Sunday at the Antalya airport in the Turkish city on suspicion he had stolen an ancient bell stolen from a museum, as per Turkish authorities.
The Israeli, who was on his way back to Israel, vehemently denied such and claimed that he purchased the bell in good faith and has a receipt for it.
He was questioned by Turkish officials as of Sunday night, Israeli media reported.
Arrests of Israelis in Turkey
Last month, nine Israelis were arrested upon landing in Istanbul after a flight attendant from the plane they arrived on from Israel complained that she had been sexually harassed.
Among the detainees were two young men from Sderot and seven from Rahat and the Bedouin diaspora.
In 2021, the arrest of Israeli couple Natali and Mordy Oaknin, who were accused of spying after taking a photo of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s palace, almost caused a diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Israel.
The couple was later released following the intervention of President Isaac Herzog.
This is a developing story.