Eighth High Court appeal by the engineer convert to Christianity who revealed the existence of Israel's nuclear arsenal. Vacant since 2004, he can not travel abroad. He has to give 48 hour notice if he wants to leave his house.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - For the eighth time, Mordechai Vanunu has applied to the High Court of Justice to remove the severe restrictions placed on his movements since his release from prison in 2004. The Israeli nuclear engineer, a Christian, says that the allegations he damaged national security - with the revelation of the existence of a nuclear arsenal in the country - have never been proven. The court should make a decision next month.

Vanunu wants the travel ban that prevents him from visiting his wife in Norway removed. Converted to Christianity and chosing the name John Crossman, the man married the theologian Kristin Joachimsen last May. The couple exchanged their vows in the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Jerusalem. His wife is a professor at the School of Theology in Oslo.

Vanunu, a former technician at the Negev Nuclear Research Center in Dimona, was arrested in 1988 on charges of high treason and espionage, after he disclosed details on the plant to the Sunday Times in 1986. He spent 18 years in prison, of which 12 in isolation.

In addition to the ban on travelling abroad, if he wants to leave his house Vanunu is obliged to inform the authorities 48 hours prior. He is allowed to speak with foreigners, but only one person at a time, for not more than 30 minutes, in a public place.

• ISRAEL
• VANUNU
• restrictions
• nuclear
• spy