US scientist faces death for plot to spy for Israel

London Telegraph
Sunday, Nov 1st, 2009

A top US scientist who once worked for the Pentagon and Nasa could face execution for allegedly offering to sell secrets to Israel for $2 million (£1.2 million), according to documents filed in federal court.

Stewart Nozette, 52, was due to appear in court on Thursday for a hearing on whether he should remain in detention after he was arrested in a sting operation in which an FBI agent posed as an Israeli official.

Mr Nozette, who was arrested last week, has been charged with two counts of attempted espionage for allegedly trying to sell secrets relating to US national defence to a person he believed to be an Israeli intelligence officer, according to court documents filed late on Wednesday.

“The maximum penalty the defendant faces, if convicted, is death,” according to the government filing supporting Mr Nozette’s continued detention pending trial.

In Mr Nozette’s talks with the agent, the scientist allegedly said he wanted “roughly two million dollars as compensation for his espionage”.

Full article here

Print this page.

Comment Rules

Comments are closed.