Gun found in Israeli officer's luggage

BUDAPEST, Hungary, April 18 (UPI) -- Authorities in Budapest, Hungary, released an Israei Air Force officer who had been detained after a handgun was found in his flight luggage, officials said.

Haaretz reported Monday the officer was detained at the Budapest Airport while waiting to board an American Airlines jet to the United States.

Officials later told Ynetnews.com the officer was released and had returned to Israel.

Security officers at Ben-Gurion Airport in Israel should have discovered the gun during checks when the officer initially boarded there, officials in Budapest said. The officer first denied knowing about the gun but later said it belonged to a relative who left it in the luggage.

The incident reportedly angered U.S. officials and hurt Israel's reputation for having tight airport security.

Officials said the gun, clip and bullets were found in luggage and not in the officer's carry-on bags.

"As far as we know the gun was in the passenger's suitcase and not in his handbag," an official said. "And therefore the passengers and plane were in no danger."

It isn't illegal to fly with a weapon, but it must have proper documentation and its presence must be reported to officials, which the officer failed to do.

The officer was not on duty and was traveling with his family when the incident occurred Friday.

Source: United Press International (UPI).
Link: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2011/04/18/Gun-found-in-Israeli-officers-luggage/UPI-94361303126855/.