A Russian tourist, who tried to take picture against backdrop of Azrieli Towers in Tel Aviv was pounced by security personnel, accused of spying, planning terror attack for Hezbollah. Security personnel searched Ekaterina Kopilov’s belongings, interrogated her, and squeezed every bit of desire to return for another vacation in Israel, Ynetnews.com website reports.

A Russian tourist visiting Israel didn’t imagine that an innocent attempt to take a picture in front of Azrieli Towers as a souvenir would make her suspect of spying for Hezbollah. When it became clear that there is no truth to the suspicions, the tourist decided in a rare step to file a suit against the Defense Ministry for the emotional suffering she endured.

This strange event started as the war in Lebanon was winding down when Ekaterina Kopilov, a 29-year-old resident of Moscow, decided to purchase a ticket to the sun-soaked Israel in order to hang out with her friends here. On the afternoon of October 16, Ekaterina was on her way to a trip to the south with her friend Alex Lipshin, 30, from Haifa.

The two stopped in Tel Aviv and seized the opportunity to take a few pictures of the city. Lipshin wanted to photograph his friend against the backdrop of the Azrieli Towers, so he stood on the bridge connecting the Kirya army base and the towers.

Before he managed to press the camera’s button, a number of security personnel and Defense Ministry officials rushed over to him noting that the area is a sensitive military zone.

In the indictment issued to the small claims court in Haifa, Kopilov claimed that there were at least seven security personnel on the site explaining to her and to her Israeli friend that they were suspected of planning a terror attack against military targets in Israel. Lipshin tried to explain to the security personnel that he and Kopilov aren’t spies or terrorists and were only trying to take a picture as a memento of their time together.

Yet, the explanations were in vain and the security guards separated the two and started searching through their belongings. According to the indictment, the security personnel refused to identify themselves and laughed in the faces of the two bewildered young people. “They took out all the things from our backpacks, including intimate belongings such as condoms and underwear. All this in front of dozens of soldiers and civilians looking on,” wrote Kopilov.

After this, defense establishment officials interrogated. Kopilov even claims that she was not allowed to go to the bathroom or to contact the Russian Embassy in Israel. She was asked, among other things, if her father is linked to Hezbullah. During the rest of the interrogation, Kopilov’s personal belongings were taken, including cash and headache medication, which, according to the investigators, was sent to the lab for tests.

Only after more than two and a half hours, once it was clear that the two are not spies or terrorists planning an attack, were their belongings returned to them. This was not before the interrogators confiscated a 50 dollar bill, which they claimed was counterfeited.
At the end of the interrogation, Kopilov and Lipshin asked for a written report of the event, a list of the objects in their possession, and a copy of the lab test done on their things. This request was denied.

“Much pain and suffering has been caused to me,” explains Kopilov. “I am an innocent tourist and I came to Israel to show solidarity with the country, who is fighting for its existence. I have never broken any law and my treatment by the Israelis was the worst. It was unfair and unacceptable treatment.”

Kopilov is demanding compensation of NIS 5,000 (USD 1,160), which includes remuneration for emotional suffering and distress, as well as the cost of accommodations and transportation incurred the day of the unpleasant experience. In addition, she is demanding that the Defense Ministry finance the expenses of her return trip to Israel for the trial, and all legal expenses.

The Haifa court is set to discuss Kopilov’s case at the end of December. Ekaterina returned to Russia sad, disappointed, and insulted by what she experienced in Israel. “I didn’t expect her first trip to Israel to look like this and I truly think she deserves compensation,” said Lipshin to Ynet.

The Defense Ministry responded to Ynet: “As part of the routine security arrangements surrounding the Defense Ministry in the Kirya, the woman and her friend were spotted as they were photographing the defense facility, despite warning signs forbidding photographing by law. At the beginning of their questioning, suspicion arose and therefore a security check was performed. We apologize if the woman and her friend were hurt as a result of the examination. We have no knowledge of legal claims submitted on the issue.”

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