Vulture arrested for spying

Saudi Arabian security services have captured a vulture suspected of being a Mossad spy sent over by Israel.

The bird, which was carrying a GPS transmitter and a tag from Tel Aviv University, strayed into Saudi Arabian territory, according to a report in the Israeli daily Ma'ariv.

Residents and reporters told Saudi Arabia's Al-Weeam newspaper the matter seemed to be linked to a "Zionist plot" and swiftly alerted security services. The bird has since been placed under arrest.

The accusations went viral with hundreds of posts on Arabic-language websites and forums claiming "Zionists" had trained the birds for espionage.

Israeli authorities said the bird's activities were innocent and that it was part of a long-term study of the migratory habits of the vulture.

The incident comes amid growing paranoia among Israel's neighbours over the nation's growing military might.

An Egyptian official reportedly claimed a shark that attacked tourists off the coastal resort of Sharm el Sheikh was acting on behalf of the Israeli spy service.
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