A Port Said prosecutor ordered on Monday the four-day detention of an Austrian citizen pending investigation after he was arrested for photographing military ships in the Suez Canal.

The prosecution said that upon questioning, the Austrian national said that he works as a security consultant for a German company that is seeking investment projects in Egypt. 

He said that the company assigned him to provide a report on the security status of several Egyptian governorates.

The unnamed Austrian national, who is in his forties, was arrested for allegedly taking pictures at the Mediterranean entrance of the Suez Canal at Port Said, the stationed security services guarding the customs' ports, as well as other areas, including the airport.

According to the prosecution, a representative from the Austrian embassy in Egypt attended the investigations.

The man's cameras and laptops were confiscated following his arrest by Egyptian police.