A Turkish man was arrested upon arrival at Ben-Gurion International Airport on Tuesday, after his Israeli wife reported to police that he had kidnapped the couple’s daughter.
According to Hebrew media reports, the 33-year-old Turkish citizen flew to Turkey two weeks ago with their daughter, after convincing his wife to remain behind in Israel, saying they would return in a few days.
However, the Turkish man later threatened his wife in a phone call and refused to bring their daughter back to Israel, telling his wife that if she wanted to see their daughter she would have to come to Turkey.
The wife then told police that her husband had kidnapped their daughter, who remains in Turkey.
On Wednesday, the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court extended the remand of the arrested man until Thursday.
At the hearing the man’s lawyer said the threat was made in the heat of the moment and the daughter could return to Israel, but the two had discussed moving to Turkey.
“I’m prepared for her to go and bring the girl from Turkey,” the suspect said during the hearing, according to the Ynet news website. “She’s gone to Turkey without me a few times.”
