Israel seeks release of couple arrested for espionage in Istanbul
In an incident that threatens to further strain Turkey-Israel relations, Jerusalem is working to secure the release of an Israeli couple arrested in Istanbul Friday after reportedly taking photos of a presidential residence.
ISTANBUL — Seeking to avert a fresh diplomatic crisis in long-strained Turkey-Israel relations, officials in Jerusalem are working to secure the release of a couple arrested while vacationing in Istanbul, Turkey.
Two Israelis, Natalie and Mordi Oknin, and one Turkish national identified by the initials I.A. were arrested and charged with “political and military espionage” Friday after taking pictures of one of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s residences.
According to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency, the three were snapping photos of the residence from a restaurant in the city’s 369-meter Camlica Tower when a staff member overheard their conversation and called the police.
Following an initial detention, Istanbul’s chief public prosecutor arrested the three suspects, who are currently in jail pending trial.
