After prolonged reserve duty, a bullet is found in Yonatan's backpack: "He is detained in Dharamshala"
Reserve soldier Yonatan Levi, who served hundreds of days in reserves over the past three years, was arrested on September 15 at Dharamshala airport in India after a rifle bullet was found in his backpack. He was unaware of its presence. After a week in prison, he was released on bail, but his passport is held and he is not allowed to leave India. His family has launched a fundraising campaign to cover legal costs.
Reserve soldier Yonatan Levi, who served intermittently and intensively in the reserves over the past three years, was arrested on September 15 at the airport in Dharamshala, northern India, just before boarding a flight back to Israel. During the security check, a single rifle bullet was found in his backpack, inadvertently and in good faith left in the bag, and Yonatan was completely unaware of its existence. He was arrested and taken for questioning. His family contacted official Israeli authorities and enlisted a local lawyer with assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. After three days of police custody and six days in prison, Yonatan was released on bail on September 23. However, the criminal investigation continues, his passport and phone are held, and he is not allowed to leave India. The family has so far raised tens of thousands of dollars for legal representation, bail, flights, and accommodation, and has appealed to the public for further fundraising.