JERUSALEM (JTA) — A court in Yemen sentenced a man to death for contacting and offering to spy for Israel.
Bassam al-Haidari, 26, was found guilty Monday of sending an e-mail to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and offering his services. He was sentenced to death, according to news reports.
Two other defendants, aged 23 and 24, were sentenced to prison. The men, who are said to be members of the anti-Yemeni government Organization of Islamic Jihad, went on trial in January.
Israel and Yemen do not have diplomatic relations.
According to the court, Olmert responded to Haidari’s e-mail, offering to support him as a foreign agent. Israeli military officials deny the claim.
About 400 Jews live in Yemen, though many are seeking to leave.
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