Days after the release of U.S.-Israeli citizen Ilan Grapel, Cairo is now planning to release Israeli Bedouin Ouda Tarabin, who has been imprisoned in Egypt since 2000, the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida reported Friday. Tarabin is expected to be released in mid-November after the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice), the report said. The Israeli citizen was arrested in 2000 when he visited his sister in El-Arish in northern Sinai. The Egyptians claim he crossed over into Egypt illegally and sentenced him to 15 years in prison for espionage. He has been serving that sentence ever since. A senior Egyptian official confirmed that Tarabin would be released and claimed that Egyptian prisoners held in Israeli jails will be freed in exchange for him, Al-Jarida reported. "There is another Israeli spy imprisoned in Egypt and discussions over his release are currently being held with Israel," the Egyptian official was quoted by Al-Jarida as saying in reference to Tarabin. The official added, "The deal for the release of the Israeli spy will not include the release of arms and drug dealers, but political prisoners, Egyptian citizens, who are imprisoned in Israel. Right now, relevant sources in Egypt are engaged in intensive negotiations to obtain the best possible results in exchange for the release of the Israeli spy who has served 11 years of his 15-year prison term after being convicted of espionage." Meanwhile, 27-year-old Ilan Grapel, who was released by Egypt last week after being arrested in June on suspicion of spying for Israel, returned to his home in New York over the weekend and was reunited with his family. Upon landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Grapel looked exhausted but happy. After spending four months in an Egyptian prison, Grapel said he had a new appreciation for the U.S. justice system. "Suddenly, the Bill of Rights isn't just a historical document for me," he said during an impromptu press conference at the airport. " Also commenting on the experience of her son's imprisonment, Grapel's mother, Irene, said, "All I can say is that for four and a half months we were just heartbroken."
Report: Egypt to release Ouda Tarabin in mid-November
Days after Ilan Grapel is freed, Kuwaiti newspaper says Egypt, Israel are working out details for release of Israeli Bedouin held in Egypt since 2000 • Tarabin to be released after the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.
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