Russian authorities detain Israeli travelers at Moscow airport, inspect mobile phones

MOSCOW, April 21 (YPA) – Russian media reports said authorities briefly detained dozens of Israeli travelers at Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport for questioning amid heightened regional tensions linked to the ongoing confrontation between Israeli entity and Iran.

The opposition outlet Mediazona reported that around 40 passengers, including dual nationals, were held for approximately five hours under strict security procedures. According to the report, the individuals were denied food and drink during the process, while their mobile phones were confiscated for inspection by officers of the Federal Security Service (FSB).

One of the detainees was quoted as saying that security personnel treated passengers harshly and conveyed political messages, including remarks suggesting that Iran is a strategic ally of Russia and that hostility toward Tehran would be viewed in a similar light in Moscow.

The passengers were later released after being asked to sign warning documents, the contents of which were not disclosed.

An Israeli official source confirmed the incident, though it suggested the number of affected travelers may have been lower than reported, adding that diplomatic channels are monitoring the situation discreetly to avoid escalation with Russian authorities.

AA