Nuclear spy convict Mordechai Vanunu, who is scheduled to end his 18-year prison sentence in only eight weeks, will not be held under administrative detention or house arrest - but will face several restrictions. A special session was held in the Prime Minister's Office last night, with the participation of Israel's top security and judicial brass, in light of Vanunu's apparent threats to continue to harm Israel's security interests when he gets out of jail.
Vanunu worked in the Dimona nuclear plant in the Negev for several years, and then made his way around the world - with sensitive photographs and information from the center in his possession. After converting to Christianity in Australia, he made the information known to the London Sunday Times, which published his story and photos on October 5, 1986, turning the world's attention to Israel's nuclear capacities. Before the story was published, Israeli agents captured Vanunu and brought him to Israel for trial, where he was convicted on charges of espionage and treason. He has not cooperated with Israeli officials since then.
Attorney-General Meni Mazuz recommended against placing the spy under administrative detention. "We cannot place a man in detention merely based on evaluations and declarations, especially after he was in prison for 18 years," he and State Prosecutor Edna Arbel said. "The Supreme Court will not give backing to exaggerated restrictions on freedom of movement." Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz agreed saying, "Vanunu is a traitor, but even traitors have rights."
Instead, various restrictions will be placed on Vanunu, and if he violates them, he is likely to be arrested once more. He will not be granted a passport, will not be permitted to be interviewed, write his memoirs, or discuss with anyone the nuclear secrets he knows, and will have to report to the police at regular intervals.
In the meantime, the state continues to turn a deaf ear to pleas for the release of Hevron resident Noam Federman, who has been incarcerated for five months under an administrative order. Supporters of Federman are demanding that he either be charged with a crime, if there is evidence against him, or released. The Women in Green organization held a vigil on Federman's behalf this morning at the entrance to the Knesset. Arriving MKs were greeted with signs saying, "Detention of Jews is Political Terror!" Federman's wife Elisheva has expressed the fear that the six-month administrative detention term, which ends one month from now, will be automatically renewed for another six months.
Vanunu worked in the Dimona nuclear plant in the Negev for several years, and then made his way around the world - with sensitive photographs and information from the center in his possession. After converting to Christianity in Australia, he made the information known to the London Sunday Times, which published his story and photos on October 5, 1986, turning the world's attention to Israel's nuclear capacities. Before the story was published, Israeli agents captured Vanunu and brought him to Israel for trial, where he was convicted on charges of espionage and treason. He has not cooperated with Israeli officials since then.
Attorney-General Meni Mazuz recommended against placing the spy under administrative detention. "We cannot place a man in detention merely based on evaluations and declarations, especially after he was in prison for 18 years," he and State Prosecutor Edna Arbel said. "The Supreme Court will not give backing to exaggerated restrictions on freedom of movement." Defense Minister Sha'ul Mofaz agreed saying, "Vanunu is a traitor, but even traitors have rights."
Instead, various restrictions will be placed on Vanunu, and if he violates them, he is likely to be arrested once more. He will not be granted a passport, will not be permitted to be interviewed, write his memoirs, or discuss with anyone the nuclear secrets he knows, and will have to report to the police at regular intervals.
In the meantime, the state continues to turn a deaf ear to pleas for the release of Hevron resident Noam Federman, who has been incarcerated for five months under an administrative order. Supporters of Federman are demanding that he either be charged with a crime, if there is evidence against him, or released. The Women in Green organization held a vigil on Federman's behalf this morning at the entrance to the Knesset. Arriving MKs were greeted with signs saying, "Detention of Jews is Political Terror!" Federman's wife Elisheva has expressed the fear that the six-month administrative detention term, which ends one month from now, will be automatically renewed for another six months.