Despite encouraging reports of the impending release of Ilan Grapel during the recent visit to Cairo by US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, it is now evident that he remains in Egyptian custody. Grapel, who holds both Israeli and American citizenship, has been in Egyptian custody since June, alleged to have spied against Egypt for Israel.

It now appears the state prosecutor plans to move ahead with an indictment against Grapel containing charges of attempted arson against the interior ministry headquarters during riots in that country in January. The prosecution reports it has eyewitnesses to support its case against Grapel, who the state maintains is a Mossad agent.

Despite continued statements of denial from Israel and Grapel’s family, but the new Egyptian administration seems to have its own agenda.

JTA has reported that Egypt is trying to negotiate a deal with Israel for Grapel’s release in exchange for dozens of Egyptian nationals imprisoned in Israel. Al-Ahram reports this addresses 78 nationals being held in Israeli prisons.

Israeli and Egyptian officials’ have not confirmed reports of ongoing negotiations for a prisoner exchange.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)