Egyptian authorities have confirmed two German nationals suspected of attempting to join an "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS) affiliate have been arrested, and one was deported, AFP reported Friday (January 11th).
German media reported earlier this month that two Germans had gone missing after arriving separately in Egypt in December.
The families of both men believe their arrests were cases of mistaken identity. And Egyptian authorities had previously denied the arrests to AFP.
One man is a 24-year-old detained at Cairo International Airport over suspicions he was seeking to join the ISIS affiliate in northern Sinai, the sources said. He was reportedly arrested on December 27th.
Another 18-year old German national was also arrested, reportedly in mid-December, after landing in the southern city of Luxor.
He was found with maps of North Sinai in his possession and authorities believe he came to Egypt with the intent of joining ISIS as well, the sources said.
Procedures are still under way for his deportation to Germany.
