The IDF censor permits publishing there another prisoner being held in Israel similar to the Prisoner X case, referring to Ben Zygier, the Australian national who reportedly joined the Mossad. Zygier was eventually arrested and was found hanged in his cell as he was imprisoned pending his trial for treason.

It is reported this prisoner is being held under similar conditions in Ayalon Prison as was the case with Zygier. MK (Labor) Nachman Shai is doing his utmost to compel a probe into details of this case, working the media to pressure state officials to release information regarding this second case.

Channel 2 legal correspondent Guy Peleg explains Zygier would most likely not have received a life sentence, pointing out he was charged with crimes and was waiting to be placed on trial. He stresses Zygier was being treated as the law permits, nothing more. Zygier took his own life is because the prisoner learned from his wife that she wanted to get rid of him, end their relationship. Peleg adds that portraying Ben Zygier as the media has done is inaccurate for he and others are processed within the confines of the law and it is unreasonable to expect the state to release sensitive information to the media regarding a security prisoner involved in a classified case.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)