Israeli arrested in Cyprus: The disturbing item that forced him to pay 600 euros
A 42-year-old Israeli tourist was arrested at Paphos Airport after two rounds of ammunition were found in his backpack. Within a few hours, he appeared before a judge and was ordered to pay a 600-euro fine.
In recent years, there has been an increase in incidents involving the discovery of ammunition forgotten in travelers' bags — a common occurrence among discharged soldiers and reservists. In many countries around the world, this matter leads to prolonged detentions and complex legal proceedings.
Just this past weekend, a 42-year-old Israeli tourist was arrested at Paphos Airport in Cyprus after two rounds of ammunition were found in his backpack. His explanations did not help: within a few hours, he appeared before a judge and was ordered to pay a 600-euro fine. He was released only after paying the penalty.
The incident occurred just before the Israeli was about to board a flight back to Israel. During the security check, scanners detected the ammunition, leading to his immediate arrest and the opening of a criminal proceeding.
This event joins thousands of similar incidents. It highlights once again the danger inherent in using bags from military service, reserve duty, or security work for trips abroad. Even a single round of ammunition accidentally forgotten in a bag can be considered a serious weapons offense in the destination country, leading to arrest and a lengthy criminal process.
It is important to remember that the claim of "forgetfulness" does not exempt one from responsibility, as the burden lies entirely on the passenger to verify in advance exactly what is in their luggage and to be familiar with local law. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that since the beginning of the year, they have received over 10,000 inquiries on the subject, compared to about 7,500 inquiries in the entire year of 2025.
