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British tourist arrested in Turkey after plucking coins from sea
A British holidaymaker has been arrested in Turkey and faces up to three years in prison after picking up ancient coins from the sea while snorkeling.
Toby Robyns, aged 52, was stopped by security staff at Milas-Bodrum Airport when they spotted the 13 coins, deemed to be historical treasures, in his hand luggage.
The father of five has been held on suspicion of finding Turkish artefacts without notifying authorities. He appeared in court the day after his arrest and has been remanded in custody until a decision is made on whether he will be charged, a process which could take up to six weeks, said the Daily Mail.
Robyns picked up the coins when snorkeling near Yassi Ada off the coast of Bodrum, where there are several ancient shipwrecks.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are assisting a British man following his arrest in Bodrum, and remain in contact with his family and the Turkish authorities."
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Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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