Turkey clears bird of spying for Israel - The Telegraph

By Justin Vela, Istanbul: Authorities in eastern Turkey have cleared a small bird detained on suspicions of spying for Israel.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Intensive medical examinations of the kestrel - including X-rays - determined that the bird was, indeed, just a bird Photo: Alamy

The kestrel was discovered by residents of Altinavya, a village in Elazig province, wearing a metallic ring stamped with the words “24311 Tel Avivunia Israel”. Suspicious that the bird may have been on a spying mission for the Jewish state, villagers turned the bird over to local authorities, according to Turkish media.

So great was the level of concern medical personnel at Elazig’s Firat University initially identified the kestrel as “Israeli Spy” in their registration documents. Intensive medical examinations - including X-rays - determined that the bird was, indeed, just a bird. There were no sign of microchips that might transmit information back to Israel, local media reported. The kestrel was allowed to fly off after authorities determined there was no need to press charges...Continue reading...