[E-rundbrief] Info 212 - RB 116 - Mordechai Vanunu - 1 Jahr Hausarrest.

[Matthias Reichl]

E-Rundbrief - Info 212 - Rundbrief Nr. 116 - Mordechai Vanunu - 1 Jahr 
Hausarrest. International Campaign to Free Vanunu: Charges served against 
Vanunu: A shameful attempt to silence whistleblower.

Bad Ischl, 23.3.2005

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Mordechai Vanunu - 1 Jahr Hausarrest

Vor Wochen hatte Issam Makhoul von der Hadash-Partei in der Knesset, dem 
israelischen Parlament für den 16.3.2005 ein Hearing im Constitution, Law 
and Judiciary Committee beantragt, um die Repressalien gegen Mordechai 
Vanunu zu erörtern. Gemeinsam mit der israelischen Aktivistin Raina Moss 
von der International Campaign to Free Vanunu hatten sich internationale 
Experten wie Daniel Ellsberg und Jennifer Harbury aus den USA sowie Fredrik 
S. Heffermehl aus Norwegen auf dieses Hearing vorbereitet. Knapp vor dem 
Termin wurde es von den Verantwortlichen der Knesset abgesagt. Auch Vanunu 
hatte einen Redebeitrag vorbereitet - siehe Info 209.

Wahrscheinlich als "Strafe" dafür wurde Vanunu am 17.3. eine neuerliche 
Vorladung mit 21 Vorwürfen präsentiert. Für den 21.4.2005, dem 1. Jahrestag 
seiner Entlassung aus dem Gefängnis - keine "Frei-lassung", sondern 
Hausarrest - wird eine größere internationale Delegation in Jerusalem 
erwartet. "Hope to be free soon" wie Vanunu in seinem Antwort-e-mail an uns 
schrieb oder eine neuerliche Verlängerung der Schikanen - jedenfalls ist 
weitere Solidarität mit ihm nötig!

Matthias Reichl

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Charges served against Vanunu: A shameful attempt to silence whistleblower

International Campaign to Free Vanunu

PRESS RELEASE March 17, 2005

On the afternoon of March 17, Mordechai Vanunu, the Israeli nuclear 
whistleblower who spent 18 years in prison for exposing Israel's secret 
nuclear program, was served with official notice, that he is to be brought 
to trial for speaking to the international media.

Vanunu, receiving sanctuary at St. George's Cathedral in East Jerusalem 
since his release from prison last April, has been charged with violating 
the restrictions that were imposed against him upon his release from 
prison. The restrictions, based on the British Manda te State of Emergency 
Regulations of 1945, prohibit Vanunu from making any contact with foreign 
nationals, speaking to the media, leaving Israel, coming within 300 meters 
of a foreign embassy or international borders and even changing his place 
of residence without approval from Israeli security agencies.

Vanunu is also charged of "attempting to leave the country," for his bid to 
attend Christmas Eve Mass in Bethlehem, in December 2004.

Vanunu is not being charged with any security breaches or divulging 
information concerning Israel's nuclear program, rather, simply for the 
fact that he granted interviews to international media.

The restrictions against Vanunu, which will expire next month but may be 
renewed indefinitely, were denounced at a press conference held by the 
Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu yesterday in East Jerusalem. A panel of 
international lawyers and public figures had come to Israel to lobby for 
Vanunu's full freedom. Attorney Fredrik Heffermehl (Norway), an expert on 
international law who was part of the international delegation, said today: 
"The charges against Vanunu are a red flag to the world media. A man is 
actually being charged for the "crime" of speaking to reporters."

Rayna Moss, an Israeli with the International Campaign to Free Mordechai 
Vanunu, stated: "A government with grave security, public safety and social 
problems to deal with; a government that includes several members who are 
under investigation on criminal and corruption suspicions; a government 
that continues to pursue a secret nuclear program that it conceals from its 
own citizens and from the world - is prosecuting a citizen merely for 
speaking to the media. This is a shameful attempt to silence Vanunu and a 
gross violation of his human rights. The restrictions against Vanunu should 
be revoked immediately, these pathetic charges should be withdrawn and he 
should be let free."

Contact information:

In Israel: Rayna Moss: Tel. 972-50 -7368236
email: legalese at netvision.net.il

In the USA: Felice Cohen-Joppa, Tel/Fax 520-323-8697
email: freevanunu at mindspring.com

In Britain: Ernest Rodker, Tel. +44-20-8672-9698
e-mail: campaign at vanunu.freeserve.co.uk

In Norway: Fredrik Heffermehl
Tel. +47-2244 8003 Fax: +47-2244 7616
email: fredpax at online.no

www.vanunu.com, www.vanunu.co.uk, www.vanunu.org

Felice Cohen-Joppa
Coordinato,r U.S. Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu
POB 43384 Tucson, AZ 85733
Phone/Fax 520-323-8697

freevanunu at mindspring.com

www.nonviolence.org/vanunu

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Matthias Reichl

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