Officer skips trial, Israeli tourist remains in India

Noa Haviv, a 28-year-old from Jerusalem, was arrested upon arrival to India on an El Al plane from Israel. A cartridge loaded with 16 9mm bullets was found in her bag, which belonged to her brother.

Haviv was released about a week later, but her passport was held by local authorities and she was forbidden to leave India. In the meantime she continued to travel throughout the country.

Haviv appeared before a court Monday, with the Israeli consul by her side. However, Haviv’s mother Hagit told Ynet that a police representative who was supposed to file the summation never appeared at the hearing.

For this reason, the judge decided not to return Haviv’s passport to her, and she must now await her trial.

Haviv hired a lawyer and intends on appealing to the Supreme Court. “It is a difficult and tense feeling,” the mother said, “She isn’t coming back and there’s no telling how long they will keep her there.”