Israel Matzav

Grapel to be released?

Israel Radio reports that the London-based pan-Arabic daily al-Hayat reports that US-Israeli dual citizen Ilan Grapel will be released by Egypt on Tuesday. Grapel has been held by the Egyptians since June on charges of spying, but according to the report, the Egyptians now admit that he is not a spy.

On Saturday, AFP reported that Egypt was considering releasing Grapel 'soon.'

UPDATE 2:20 PM

Here are more details on the Grapel story.

According to a report by MENA news agency, Cairo authorities are considering releasing the 27-year-old in exchange for "greater US political and financial support."

MENA also reported that Grapel suffers from a genetic chronic disease, and his mother, who also suffers from the condition, confirmed the report.

The senior Egyptian official told al-Hayat that US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is scheduled to arrive in Egypt on Tuesday and will "take Grapel back with him at the end of the visit."

The source noted that "what Grapel did during the revolution did not amount to spying and by this logic he can be released in exchange for financial benefits."

How was this guy ever accepted into an IDF combat unit with a genetic disease? Hmmm.

Labels: Ilan Grapel, Mossad, spying

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:36 AM