http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/500399.html

Thu., November 11, 2004 Cheshvan 27, 5765

Last Update: 11/11/2004 12:25   Police detain nuclear

whistleblower Vanunu   By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz

Correspondent, and Haaretz Service

The police international investigations unit detained

nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu on Thursday

morning for questioning related to an ongoing probe

examining suspicions he leaked national secrets and

violated legal rulings since his release from prison.

Prior to Vanunu's detention, police searched his room

in the east Jerusalem hostel in which he is staying.

Officers confiscated documents and other materials.

The search of Vanunu's room and the investigation

itself are being conducted at the direction of the

attorney general and in coordination with the state

prosecutor.

Vanunu ended an 18-year prison term for treason in

April, but was barred from leaving Israel. Security

sources had said he was under surveillance on

suspicion of giving unauthorized interviews to foreign

media.

In an interview with a Greek radio station in late

September, the Vanunu said that he does not feel safe

in Israel, and wishes to leave the country as soon as

possible. Vanunu also used the interview to reiterate

his attacks on Israel's nuclear policies.

"The United States is pushing Iran with respect to its

nuclear weapons program. It needs to do the same thing

to Israel," he stated. "You can't focus on Iran and

forget about Israel."

The former prisoner, who was imprisoned on charges of

spying and treason, also dealt with Israel's nuclear

secrets in the interview. "There are still nuclear

weapons materials in Israel, and I believe that during

the past 18 years, more have been built," he said.

Several months ago, authorities opened a criminal

investigation against Vanunu for granting an interview

to the BBC and the Sunday Times weeks after his

release, in light of security issues, since Vanunu had

discussed secret knowledge he had been forbidden to

discuss in the interview.

"Vanunu has flagrantly violated the conditions of his

release in granting this interview," stated police

sources. "Something must be done to stop this."