Israel frees Turkish dentist after three weeks detention

The Israeli authorities have released a Turkish citizen of Palestinian origin who was arrested by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank on Nov. 5, diplomatic sources have said.

Ahmad Abusalih, a 45-year-old dentist by profession, was arrested on his way to Jerusalem after attending a dental fair held in Ramallah, Palestine.

Israeli officials extended the dentist's detention period to Nov. 17 on the grounds that he was a "threat to national security," according to Abusalih's lawyer.

Abusalih, who is also Turkey's representative to the Palestinian Prisoners Society, is married with two children, and has been living in Turkey for 20 years.