Egypt arrests two Eritreans attempting to cross into Israel

May 21, 2007 (CAIRO) — Egyptian police arrested two Eritrean trying to illegally cross from the southern Egyptian border city of Rafah into Israel to seek asylum the Egyptian al-Wafd reported on Sunday.

Egyptian security services thwarted the attempt of an Eritrean man and a woman to infiltrate into Israel through the international borders, south of Rafah land port. Egptian authorities are currently interrogating them.

The incident took place when the security services were observing the international borders between Egypt, Palestine and Israel.

Ephraim Okaba Michael, 31 years, and Sara Ali Mohamed Ahmad, 35 years, were apprehended while trying to sneak into Israeli territories across the borderline fence at the international signpost, number 17, south of Rafah land port.

Israel opened an embassy in Eritrea in 1993, two years after it achieved independence; while Eritrea oped its mission late in 2004.

(ST)