Detained For Taking Pictures Of President Erdogan's Residence And Accused Of Spying, Turkey Frees Israeli Citizens

PM Israel Naftali Bennett. (Wikimedia Commons/Adi Cohen Zedek)

JAKARTA - Natali and Mordi Oaknin, an Israeli couple jailed in Istanbul after photographing the residence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, were released from prison and returned to Israel early Thursday.

"After joint efforts with Turkey, Mordi and Natali Oaknin were released from prison detention and are on their way back to Israel," Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said in a statement, citing The Jerusalem Post Nov. 18.

"(We) thank the Turkish President and his government for their cooperation and look forward to welcoming the couple back home.

The pair's release came nine days after their arrest, following the joint efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister, as well as the Office of the President.

"Thanks to the whole nation of Israel. Thank you to everyone who helped and supported and released us," Natali Oknin told reporters after she and Mordi landed in Tel Aviv on a chartered private plane.

The turning point in the case came when Mossad Chief David Barnea spoke with his Turkish counterpart and explained that, contrary to the Turkish prosecution's allegations, Oaknins was not an Israeli spy and had nothing to do with Israeli intelligence.

Israel's Chargé d'Affaires in Turkey Irit Lillian also made contact with Erdogan's Senior Advisor Ibrahim Kalin, who finally informed him on Wednesday afternoon that Oaknins would be released.

Israel should not give Turkey anything in return for releasing the couple, the diplomatic source said, explaining President Erdogan and his advisers understand there is no reason to keep them in Turkey.

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— Naftali Bennett (@naftalibennett) November 18, 2021

The couple flew home on a special flight with Foreign Ministry Consular Department Head Rina Djerassi-Dvir and Human Resources Department Head Chaim Levi, who traveled to Turkey to negotiate their release.

Turkish authorities agreed to release the couple on Wednesday night, but military censors blocked publication of the details and Oaknins' relatives in Israel kept the matter secret.

To note, the Oaknins photographed Erdogan's palace last week while in the Camlica Tower, Europe's tallest tower which opened earlier this year. A servant heard them talking about it and reported it to the police, who arrested them and a Turkish friend who accompanied them on their visit.

Turkish police initially recommended deporting them, but prosecutors sought to charge them with espionage. The court extended their detention by at least 20 days on Friday, as prosecutors prepare their case for trial.

On Tuesday, Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu accused the pair of "military and political espionage," raising fears that the issue would become a protracted affair.

Prime Minister Bennett and Secretary of State Lapid said they "honored the Oaknin family for their strength during this difficult time," and thanked President Isaac Herzog for his assistance.

"You see? I said we did everything, and indeed we did everything. You are a wonderful couple. Family restraint is very important these days. Mum and Dad are on their way home," PM Bennett told the couple's daughter. .