CAIRO: Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs today called on the Egyptian Embassy in Israel to ask Israeli authorities about the real number of Egyptian prisoners in Israeli prisons, said Assistant Foreign Minister for Egyptian Consulates Abroad Ahmed Ragab. The Egyptian Ministry is following up on the case of three Egyptian minors detained in Israeli prison, added Ragab, who noted the case has no political dimension. The minors' legal situation is good, and although the Israeli judiciary appealed against the release verdict, the acquittal verdict is good indication. The three minors should be released very soon. The two months they have been held in prison for investigation will also be taken into account, Ragab said. Israeli authorities detained Salah Ahmed, 13, and Mohammad Selim, 15, from Sawarka tribe in Sinai, and Fayez Abdel Hamid Salama, 14, from Tarabin tribe. The three children are charged with illegally crossing into Israeli territory and dealing in tobacco used for shisha, an Arab water pipe. An Egyptian diplomat said the three minors' detention in Israel could be renewed on October 5, according to judiciary procedures normal in any country. Once the Israeli court passed its verdict to release the three minors, the Israeli prosecution asked to renew their detention.
