Noa Haviv
Reproduction Photo
Israeli arrested in India out on bail
Noa Haviv, who was arrested last week at the Mumbai airport after a magazine loaded with 16 9mm bullets was found in her bag, freed on USD 300 bail, but not permitted to leave country
The Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that Israeli tourist Noa Haviv, 28, who was recently arrested
in India, will be released until October 10 on USD 300 bail.
Haviv, a resident of Jerusalem, was arrested last week at the airport in Mumbai after a magazine loaded with 16 9mm bullets was found in her bag.
Noa’s father Moshe said in response to his daughter’s release, “We are very glad; the Indians realized it was a mistake; actually they treated us very nicely from the beginning and allowed my wife to visit Noa every day. We’re glad it’s all behind us now.
“We must mention the Israeli consulate, which helped us out a lot.”
Haviv is not permitted to leave India as of yet.
She arrived in India on an El-Al flight last Thursday and was detained after the loaded magazine was found in a bag she was carrying, which belonged to her brother.
Noa's mother, Hagit, told Ynet at the time that Noa called her soon after her arrest. "She called us in the morning and said she was arrested because of a magazine that was in her bag. She sounded very worried; it is not a simple situation. The facts are right – her brother returned from reserve duty a few days ago and apparently left the magazine in the bag. She took the bag and traveled to India and was immediately arrested at the airport. It is simply bad luck," the mother said.
"That was her first visit to India … she planned to stay till after the holidays. She traveled alone but was meant to join a friend of hers who waited there for her. We are shocked. I am anxious, but I am sure she will deal with the situation."
The affair was closely followed by the Foreign Ministry and the consulate in Mumbai, and Israeli diplomats pressed India authorities to release Haviv.
Several months ago Israeli tour guide Gil Heskin was detained by Indian authorities after a bullet was found in his rucksack.
Moran Rada contributed to the report
