Photo-takers accused as spies in Turkey

ISTANBUL — An Israeli married couple was arrested on espionage allegations late Friday after taking photographs of the Turkish president’s residence in Istanbul, Turkey’s official news agency reported.

Anadolu Agency said a Turkish national was also arrested. Police detained them after receiving a tip from an employee working in the Camlica radio and television tower on the Asian side of Istanbul.

The employee said they were taking photographs of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s nearby home from the tower’s restaurant earlier this week.

They were formally arrested pending trial on “political and military espionage” counts by an Istanbul court.

In a statement issued late Friday, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid denied that the couple work for an “Israeli agency.” He said his department has been in regular contact with the pair and is trying to organize their release.

Israeli newspaper Haaretz identified the couple as Natalie and Mordi Oknin. Citing their lawyer, it said they were taking photographs of the Ottoman-era Dolmabahce Palace while taking a ferry. Parts of Dolmabahce, on the city’s European side, are used as a presidential working office.