Israeli Won’t Be Rearrested
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s office said Tuesday that a former nuclear technician who gave away atomic secrets would be placed under supervision but not rearrested when he completes an 18-year prison term in April.
The decision was announced after Sharon discussed with security and legal advisors whether to try to muzzle Mordechai Vanunu, who worked at Israel’s main atomic reactor and gave details of the facility to Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper in 1986. As a result of the leak, independent experts concluded that Israel had between 100 and 200 nuclear warheads.
Vanunu, who was convicted of treason after Israel’s Mossad spy agency spirited him home, is to be released April 21.
Israeli media reports have speculated that authorities might clamp a foreign travel ban on Vanunu, monitor his telephone calls or even place security guards in his home.
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