Al-Ahram reports Israeli, Egyptian officials discussing release of Bedouin Israel held in Egypt on spy charges for 12 years in exchange for 62 prisoners

The website of Egyptian newspaper al-Ahram reported Wednesday that a high-ranking Israeli delegation arrived in Cairo recently to discuss the release of Bedouin Israeli Ouda Tarabin in exchange for 63 prisoners. Tarabin has been held in Egypt on spy charges for the past 12 years.

According to the report, the Israeli team arrived in Egypt on a private jet and will be holding meetings with several Egyptian senior officials. Sources who attended the airport reception in Cairo said the meetings will focus on a prisoner swap deal as well as recent developments in Israel-Egypt relations.

In the past it was reported that Tarabin was meant to be released as part of the Ilan Grapel deal, but this did not materialize. Tarabin was tried in absentia on espionage charges and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Throughout his time in prison, Egypt refused to hand over the investigation files to Tarabin´s attorneys or the Israeli embassy.

"I am innocent," Tarabin said in an interview in 2008. "I have never been a spy or intelligence agent in Egypt." (Copyright 2012 © Yedioth Internet 03/28/12)