Toby Robyns, 52, (pictured) was arrested at Milas-Bodrum Airport after he found 13 coins which are ‘historical treasures’
A British tourist is facing up to three years in a Turkish jail after he picked up some ancient coins while snorkelling in the sea.
Toby Robyns, 52, was arrested at Milas-Bodrum Airport as he and his family prepared to fly home from their holiday.
He was stopped when security staff deemed that 13 old coins in his hand luggage were ‘historical treasures’.
The father-of-five could now face a three-year jail sentence after he was held on suspicion of ‘finding Turkish artefacts without notifying authorities’.
The ambulance driver from Southwick, West Sussex, is understood to have picked up the coins while snorkelling during a two-week break in Turgutreis. James Stoneham, a friend of the family, said Mr Robyns had been ‘dragged’ off a flight.
‘He found a number of coins among the rocks and sand,’ Mr Stoneham told The Sun. ‘When he went to get his flight home they dragged him off and searched his hand luggage.’
The next day, Mr Robyns reportedly appeared in court, where he was remanded in custody until a decision can be made on whether he will be charged.
But as Turkey has a judicial holiday this month, the process could take between four and six weeks.
It is understood that Mr Robyns is being held at Milas Prison, a compound that holds about 70 inmates and has guards stationed at the front gate and on the roof of the building.
His wife Heidi, 43, a doctor’s receptionist, and their two sons Baxter, nine, and Brodie, seven, have since flown home. They are said to be ‘distraught’ about what has happened. Mr Stoneham added: ‘They are accusing him of taking Turkish artefacts which he was obviously unaware of.
He was diving when he stumbled across the 13 coins and was later stopped at Bodrum airport
The ambulance driver was snorkelling off the Turkish coast (pictured) when he found the coins
‘It was a huge shock for everybody. This was harmless fun on a holiday you’ve enjoyed – and now he has been put in prison.’
Mr Robyns found the coins four miles from Yassi Ada island, off the coast of Bodrum, where there are said to be around 25 shipwrecks dating from between the 4th and 16th centuries.
It is possible that a recent 5.3-magnitude earthquake in the region may have shifted the coins closer to the shore.
A family member, who asked not to be named, said: ‘Toby is always snorkelling. It’s his hobby. He’s definitely not a smuggler and that’s what I think they are trying to say.
‘They are making a mountain out of a molehill … I thought he would get a slap on his wrists, they would confiscate the coins and send him on his way.’
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.’
It is understood that Toby is being held at Milas Prison (pictured), a compound which holds about 70 inmates
The Ambulance picked up the coins while snorkelling during a two-week break in Turgutreis