On 8 May, Mordechai Vanunu was charged with several crimes: talking to two US nationals three years ago; saying things – that were not broadcast – during a TV interview last September, something for which he has already been punished; and moving flats within the same building without informing the police.
Vanunu’s real ‘crime’ is that he revealed Israel’s secret nuclear arsenal in 1986 – something for which he has already served 12 years in prison. After the Israeli authorities released him in 2004, they restricted his freedom of movement and speech, including banning him from leaving Israel or speaking to foreigners. He has been arrested for alleged breaches and was once sentenced to three months for speaking to foreigners.
Avigdor Feldman, Vanunu’s lawyer, claims the latest charges have been brought in order to undermine his legal action to overturn the travel ban.
Amnesty International has declared that if Vanunu is sent to prison on these charges it would consider him a prisoner of conscience.
Topics: Nuclear weapons