At least 40 Israeli citizens were detained and then released after traveling to Moscow from Tel Aviv yesterday, Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed following media reports of the incident.
The detention is linked to tensions between Israel and Iran, and the case is reported by foreign media.
Israeli diplomacy reacted immediately.
“As soon as the incident became known, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the order of Minister Gideon Sa’ar, contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Moscow and the Russian Embassy in Israel,” the statement said.
“After that intervention, the problem was solved and the Israelis were granted entry. The Russian side was clearly told that such behavior is completely unacceptable and that Israel takes this incident extremely seriously,” the ministry added.
Although the Israeli ministry did not provide other details about the detention, the independent Russian media outlet Mediazona published more details, citing a source familiar with the case, Index reports.
According to their statements, the passengers were interrogated by Russian security forces on suspicion of being connected to Israel’s war against Iran.
They were held for five hours, without access to food, water or toilets.
Among those detained were allegedly dual citizens and Israelis who do not have a Russian passport, and they were asked to unlock their phones.
Members of the security services allegedly emphasized to them that Iran is an ally of Russia and that “anyone who is an enemy of Iran is also our enemy.”
The Israeli citizens were released only after they signed documents outlining the “inadmissibility of violations of the law” and warning against such violations, the report said.
(Vijesti.ba)
