JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israeli police arrested nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu for meeting with foreigners in violation of his parole.
Vanunu was arrested Monday by Jerusalem police in a hotel in the capital city following an alleged meeting with a Norwegian national, who he says is his girlfriend. He was transferred to house arrest on Tuesday afternoon, according to reports.
Vanunu served 18 years in an Israeli prison for discussing details of his work as a technician at the Dimona nuclear plant with the British newspaper the Sunday Times of London. He reportedly revealed Israeli nuclear secrets and gave the newspaper photographs of the plant’s operation.
He was released from prison in 2004 and in 2007 was sentenced to another six months in jail for violating his parole restriction on meeting with foreigners.
Under the terms of his parole, Vanunu is also prohibited from leaving the country or approaching foreign embassies. He has petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court to lift the restrictions, which can be extended every six months. He was set to petition the court again in two months, according to Haaretz.
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