Spy claims torture in prison

[Scurrilous]

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2005/05/08/1030946-ap.html

<snip>

"Jonathan Pollard, a U.S. citizen who spied for Israel, has been subjected to electric shock, sleep deprivation and other "cruel and extreme" forms of torture while serving a life sentence in American prisons, his lawyer said Sunday.

A petition filed with Israel's Supreme Court says Pollard was kept naked for more than a year in solitary confinement in subzero temperatures. It claims his jailers also soaked him with ice water, forced him to sleep on a bare concrete slab, and lied to him that the Israeli government had arranged his release.

His lawyer, Nitzana Darshan-Leitner, told The Associated Press that Pollard has complained about torture to the U.S. Embassy since the outset of his imprisonment nearly 19 years ago, but this is the first time the complaints have been included in a legal document. It asks the court to force the Israeli government to declare Pollard a Prisoner of Zion - a status that would require the government to do all it can to get him released, she said."

<snip>

"Pollard was a civilian intelligence analyst for the U.S. navy when he copied and gave to his Israeli handlers enough classified documents to fill a walk-in closet. He was not paid when his spying began in 1984, but acknowledged that Israel later began paying him a few thousand dollars a month.

Pollard was caught in November 1985 and arrested after unsuccessfully seeking refuge at the Israeli Embassy. His case has strained U.S.-Israeli relations."

[minnesotaDFLer]

1. This country

has serious problems.

[blogbear]

2. You're right..probably something they learned from the 'boot' at

Paris Island..Welcome to DU!

[ovidsen]

3. I don't doubt that Pollard

is being jailed in spartan conditions, but "being kept naked... in subzero temperatures for more than a year" would normally result in death. Naked in subzero temps means death in hours. Methinks the truth is being stretched here. :shrug:

[Lochloosa]

6. I have to agree...

[mrdmk]

4. Here are the parts that are not mentioned

Israel received the nuclear secrets then gave to the U.S.S.R. Then after that Pollard still tried to sell secrets from his jail cell.

I think this man can forget about getting out of jail.

[Scurrilous]

5. Israeli ambassador set to visit Pollard

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3083529,00.html

Israeli Ambassador to U.S. Danny Ayalon set to meet with convicted spy Jonathan Pollard next Tuesday; Sharon, Shalom decide on pro-active approach to facilitate his release

<snip>

"Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Danny Ayalon is expected to meet with convicted spy Jonathan Pollard, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom decided during a meeting Monday."

<snip>

"Sharon and Shalom decided a more pro-active approach is necessary to facilitate the release of Pollard, who has complained for some time of harsh prison conditions.
"Sharon and I agreed that action must be taken to bring Pollard back to Israel," Shalom said.

Ayalon's visit with Pollard, which is scheduled for next Tuesday, would be the first - ever by an Israeli ambassador to the U.S."

<snip>

"Earlier Shalom said in a meeting with E.U. ambassadors in Jerusalem "20 years in prison is too long a period. It is time Pollard be released and join his nation in Israel."