1.   Shani had earlier announced his intention to appear in court regarding the charges from last week, the Histadrut spokeswoman added.

2.   American astronaut Michael Foale, who will remain on the Mir with the new Russian crew, was busy with his scientific experiments, the spokeswoman added.

3.   Responsibility for the three detained would be handed to immigration authorities, the police spokeswoman added.

4.   The inmates, almost all in short-term detention for working in the country without permission, were transferred to other prisons on Saturday, the prison spokeswoman added.