Israel arrests nuclear whistleblower

2009-12-30 10:44 BJT

Israeli police have arrested a nuclear whistleblower for violating a ban on speaking to foreigners.

Mordechai Vanunu has been ordered to be put under house arrest Tuesday after being charged with violating a condition of his 2004 release from an Israeli prison.

Police say Vanunu met with "a number of foreigners," something he was ordered not to do for fear he might divulge classified information.

But Vanunu's lawyer said he had just entered a relationship with a Norwegian woman.

Avigdor Feldman, Vanunu's lawyer, said, "Mr. Vanunu was arrested because he had a relationship, a relationship between a man and a woman, with a Norwegian citizen. He is not being accused of giving any secrets, she is not interested not in nuclear business, she's interested in Mordecahi Vanunu."

A file photo of Mordechai Vanunu in Jerusalem April 30, 2007.REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/Files
A file photo of Mordechai Vanunu in Jerusalem April 30, 2007.
REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/Files

Vanunu was jailed as a traitor in 1986 and served an 18-year sentence after discussing his work with a British newspaper, leading it to make the conclusion that the facility had produced fissile material for about 200 atomic warheads.

After his release in 2004, Israel barred him from travelling abroad.

Vanunu has denied he poses a security risk and says he will pursue anti-nuclear activities.

Editor: Zhang Pengfei | Source: CCTV.com