From Iceland — Icelandic Man Still In Police Custody In Turkey

Icelandic Man Still In Police Custody In Turkey

Published March 12, 2013

Davíð Örn Bjarnason, a 28-year-old Icelandic man arrested in Antalya, Turkey on Friday after being accused of attempting to smuggle antiques out of the country remains in police custody.
After days of Davíð being held without the opportunity to contact his family the Consul of Iceland in Turkey announced yesterday that he had been promised that the imprisoned Icelander would be allowed to call his girlfriend, children and mother, RÚV reports. Davíð’s girlfriend, and mother of his three children, Þóra Björg Birgisdóttir, has confirmed that no call was ever received by anybody waiting to hear from Davíð yesterday.
Commenting on the conditions in which Davíð is being held, Þóra told new agencies that Selím Sariibrahimoglu, the Consul General of Iceland in Turkey, was able to provide Davíð with some money yesterday so that he could purchase food in prison.
It was initially reported that Davíð would be released yesterday, however Mr. Sariibrahimoglu has since said that he hopes that the request for the man to be released will be considered by a judge by Wednesday.
Davíð and Þóra had been vacationing in Antalya and allegedly purchased a piece of stone from a market. Authorities seized the couple, as they were catching their flight out of Turkey and accused them of antiquities smuggling. Þóra was released shortly thereafter and was made to board a flight departing for Sweden, where she resides with Davíð and their children. Davíð has been kept in custody and not permitted communication with anybody aside from the consul.
Related:
Icelandic Man Arrested In Turkey

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