Vanunu sentenced to new jail term

[rossana at comodinoposta.org]

Non c'è pace per Vanunu

Monday, 2 July 2007

Vanunu sentenced to new jail term

An Israeli court has sent former nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu 
back to jail for six months for breaking the conditions of his parole.

Vanunu was released in 2004 after an 18-year sentence for disclosing 
Israeli nuclear secrets, but he faced curbs including speaking to 
foreign media.

However, he has given a series of interviews to the international media 
in the last three years.

Israeli officials insist he still poses a security threat.

An anti-nuclear campaigner, Mr Vanunu denies wanting to divulge more 
classified information about the Dimona nuclear plant where he worked, 
saying he only wants to be free to leave Israel.

A Jerusalem regional court convicted Mr Vanunu in April on 14 counts of 
parole violation, including leaving Israel when he entered 
Palestinian-controlled territory in the West Bank.

"While returning a man to prison after he served 18 years there does not 
bring joy to anyone, there was no other choice but to take this step to 
make clear that the nation will defend its secrets and protect its 
security," prosecutor Dan Eldad said in a statement.

In addition to the jail term he received a further six-month suspended 
sentence. He has 45 days to appeal against the ruling.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6261204.stm