Israeli who infiltrated into Egypt caught & jailed for 2 years

Gavriel Avo explains to Egyptian authorities he was only trying to reach the tomb of Yaakov Abuhatzeira.

Itamar Eichner

An Egyptian court has sentenced an Israeli citizen in his 30s to two years in prison after he was convicted of illegal infiltration into Egypt, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

Israel-Egypt border – Photo: AP

Gavriel Avo was arrested a month ago while trying to infiltrate into Taba via the border in Eilat.

During questioning he said he was trying to reach the tomb of Yaakov Abuhatzeira which is located half way between Cairo and Alexandria. Avo also told investigators he has plans to move to Morocco.

Avo is the third Israeli citizen to be jailed for illegal infiltration in Egypt in the past couple of months.

Less than two months ago a court in Nuweiba sentenced Andre Pshenichnikov to two years imprisonment for infiltration.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry is calling on Israel to avoid crossing over into Egypt in an uncoordinated manner.

“The Egyptians don’t hold back even when it is obvious these are Israelis who are clearly not spies and whose motives are bizarre,” one source said.

“Instead of simply deporting them, as was the case before, The Egyptians are now taking a tough hand and handing out jail sentences.”

 

View original Ynet publication at: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4368834,00.html