JERUSALEM: An Israeli dirt biker arrested by Egyptian authorities when he strayed across the border four days ago has been released and returned to Israel, public radio reported Wednesday.
The 36-year-old man had driven across the border in a rural area of southern Israel where it is not clearly marked on April 24 and was detained by Egyptian authorities.
The biker told Egyptian authorities had entered the country’s Sinai Peninsula by mistake after being separated from fellow bikers, an Egyptian security official said at the time.
Last month, Egyptian police detained an Israeli journalist after he tried to cross the border with an African illegal migrant. The Channel 10 reporter was released a week later.
The 250-kilometre frontier has become a significant channel for illegal immigrants and drug smugglers, prompting Israel to ask Egypt to step up controls.
In March, Israel’s government gave final approval for the construction of a barrier along the border to help keep out illegal migrants.
Egyptian police have killed dozens of African migrants in the past few years as they tried to enter Israel in search of work.
