Israel deports Turkish man over "security offenses"

Israeli authorities deported a Turkish citizen on Wednesday whom they had put in custody for three weeks over suspicion "security offenses," reported local media.

Orhan Buyruk, 32, was arrested upon his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on Sept. 29, reported Channel 2 TV news.

He was then taken to an interrogation facility at Israel's Shin Bet security service, "for suspicion of committing security offenses," according to Channel 2.

An Israeli court partially lifted a gag order on the arrest, revealing that Buyruk was in Israel to visit the al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem.

A day before his arrival, Buyruk wrote on his Facebook account that he "received the news of the passing away of the dog Shimon Peres and therefore I'll take a bow in gratitude at the al-Aqsa Mosque."

According to Channel 2, Buyruk visited Israel several times previously as part of his job as a tour guide.

His lawyer, Lea Tsemel, welcomed his release without charges, and said that Buyruk did not express "any intent to harm Israel."

She added that he "was concerned about the events in Jerusalem," referring to the growing tensions and increasing accusations of human and religious rights violations committed by Israeli security forces at the al-Aqsa mosque compound.

Turkish media closely followed the arrest, as dozens of people rallied outside the Israeli consulate in Ankara, demanding his release. Endit