By Eshat Firat
JERUSALEM (AA) – A Turkish citizen was arrested Thursday by Israeli forces in Eastern Jerusalem, tour guide Murat Kundak told Anadolu Agency.
Turkish national Osman Hazir, 46, was arrested for taking a picture holding a Turkish flag in occupied East Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, according to Kundak.
He also said that Hazir has been under arrest for five hours now, at a police station in the Old City’s Bab al-Khalil (Jaffa Gate).
Israeli police forces have yet to comment on the incident.
The situation is also being followed by Turkey’s Tel Aviv Embassy and the Jerusalem Consulate.
On Dec. 22, Israeli police arrested Abdullah Kizilirmak and Mehmet Gargili, who tried to perform Friday prayers at Jerusalem’s flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque, according to eyewitness accounts.
The eyewitness said the pilgrims --dual Belgian-Turkish nationals, holding Belgian passports -- were wearing Turkish flag T-shirts when they attempted to enter the holy compound.
Israeli police said they would have to remove the shirts if they wanted to enter, said the eyewitness. The Turks’ refusal was then followed by a brawl and them being arrested.
Another Turkish man, Adem Koc, was arrested after the Friday prayers and he was accused of "disturbing public order and attending an illegal demonstration". The trio were later released on bail.