Two Israeli civilian pilots arrived in Israel after being released from custody on suspicion of arms smuggling in Eritrea. Captain Yehuda Maoz and First Officer Vered Aharonson, were arrested two weeks ago and placed under house arrest at their hotel in the capital Asmara. Israeli diplomatic officials said there were concerns for their safety and said their release was the result of intensive diplomatic efforts by Israeli and Eritrean officials. The two, former military officers are employed as pilots by the Israel-based Aviation Bridge Company. They arrived in the African country in early August as part of a routine flight, and were set to transport a mechanical part -- held in a sealed envelope -- to a security company which had hired their company's services. The part was discovered during a routine security check at the Asmara airport, but while the two declared it to be a mechanical part, local authorities suspected it was actually meant for weapons construction.
