Israel Matzav

Reporter who received stolen documents from Anat Kam returns to Israel

Haaretz reporter Uri Blau, who received more than 2,000 stolen, top secret IDF documents from IDF soldier Ugly Betty Anat Kam, has returned to Israel after hiding out in London since last December.

Israel Security Police (Shin Bet) had previously demanded that Blau return to Israel to be interrogated, but had refused. Shin Bet has been negotiating with Blau's attorneys for months, in order to receive all of the documents Kamm had sent him, and finally, for him to come to Israel.

The Defense Ministry said the negotiations "ensured national security, on the one hand, and allowed the reporter to keep his sources confidential, on the other hand."

Blau committed to return to Israel and report to the police and Shin Bet within 48 hours of his arrival, so that he can be investigated. He must also declare that he no longer has any documents in any format, and will undergo a polygraph test.

The information will be turned over to the State Attorney, who will determine whether there is a criminal case against Blau or not. The Government's Legal Advisor will also work on the case, due to its great sensitivity.

I assume this means that the government has reached plea bargains with both Kam and Blau. I hope they're at least going to jail. If they don't, it's really outrageous.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:32 AM