Icelandic citizen Davíð Örn Bjarnason was arrested at the airport in Antalya, Turkey, on Friday on suspicion of attempting to smuggle antiquities out of the country. A piece of marble Davíð had bought at a market was found in his suitcase.

Photo copyright Icelandic Photo Agency.

The smuggling of antiquities is considered a serious offense in Turkey and can result in three to six years in prison, ruv.is reports.

The Icelandic Consul in Ankara Selim Sariibrahimoglu said he had talked with Davíð shortly after he was arrested on Friday and assured him that his case was being worked on.

Sariibrahimoglu said he had pointed out on Friday that Davíð is a responsible father of three and that there is no risk of him trying to escape.

However, the authorities wouldn’t release the suspect as the weekend was coming up and the prosecutor wanted to look into the matter more closely first.

Sariibrahimoglu intends to have his representative meet the prosecutor and attempt to have Davíð released today.

Davíð was traveling with his fiancé, Þóra Birgisdóttir, who was allowed to leave the country to be with their three children.

ESA