Israeli Caught Trying to Smuggle Diamonds Out of Zimbabwe

(IDEX Online News) – Authorities at Harare airport caught an Israeli pilot with nearly 8,500 carats of rough diamonds worth a reported $2.5 million, The Telegraph reported. Shmuel Kainan Klein allegedly tried to smuggle the diamonds to South Africa.

Dressed in pilot uniform, Klein, 55, was detained after security officials at the airport discovered 1,446 rough diamonds, weighing 8486.66 carats, in his hand luggage.

Klein arrived earlier in the day on a flight from Johannesburg, and insists that he was passing through the airport in transit.

"I was framed and I know who framed me but I can't talk about this now," Klein said. "I was arrested in transit and was only on the ground for 15 minutes.

"I was working for an international company inspecting the crew of the aircraft which took me from Johannesburg to Harare. I have never been to Zimbabwe before," he added.

The Zimbabwean authorities are charging Klein with unlawful possession of precious stones and immigration offences.

"It will be a matter of evidence who owned those diamonds," Klein's lawyer Jonathan Samkange told The Telegraph.

Klein was out on bail offered by a local Jewish resident.

According to the report, Klein lives in Johannesburg and Tel Aviv and has worked mostly as a commercial pilot.

Based on reports in The Telegraph as well as in the Zimbabwe press, the diamonds weigh on average 5.87 carats and worth on average $1,685.83 per carat.

Zimbabwe's production typically averages 2-3 carats in weight and about $50 p/c.