The Egyptian al-Aram newspaper is reporting that the interrogation of a Jordanian national, Bashar Abu Ziyad, has revealed he was acting as a spy for Israel. He admitted to phone taps of senior Egyptian officials. According to the report, Abu Ziyad, who was employed as a communications engineer with an expertise in satellite systems spoke with members of Israeli intelligence including Ofir Hariri. He allegedly used his communications expertise to enable Israeli intelligence officials to monitor conversations.

The report reveals that four others are allegedly connected to the espionage activities to benefit Israel, including an American national. The report states that Abu Ziyad has admitted to knowing Hariri, who is not in Egypt. He is quoted as telling Egyptian officials he asked Hariri to purchase 300 mobile phones and send them to Israel but the shipment was intercepted.

The report stated Ziyad’s actions significantly compromised Egyptian state security, permitting Israel to eavesdrop and record conversations, over 1 million minutes of conversations monthly.

In August 2011, the arrest of Abu Ziyad was made public, reporting a “Mossad agent was in custody”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)