An Air Force officer arrested in Hungary over the weekend for carrying a handgun and ammunition in his suitcase has returned to Israel, a source from the Foreign Ministry told Ynet.
The officer flew from Israel to Budapest on Friday, and intended to continue to the US but a handgun, magazine, and bullets were discovered among his personal effects.
The officer was arrested by Hungarian police. It remains unclear why advanced security at Ben Gurion International Airport failed to detect the weapon, which underwent regular checks and was stowed in the plane's cargo hold.
The officer told security that he had made an innocent mistake. It is legal to fly with a weapon, but the passenger must have the proper documents and must also declare the weapon's presence, which he did not do.
IDF sources said the major had been on vacation and not on an official trip. The army has remained mute on the matter.
Ronen Medzini contributed to this report