DATE=7/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SWISS SPY TRIAL (L-O) UPDATE
NUMBER=2-264019
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: An Israeli secret agent is on trial nearly
two-and-one-half years after his arrest on charges of
spying in Switzerland. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports
the man, identified as working for Israel's Mossad
intelligence agency, appeared in a Lausanne court.
TEXT: Six Mossad agents were involved in the
operation. All but one got away.
It was supposed to have been a routine operation. But
everything went wrong. Nearly two-and-one-half years
ago, the Israeli agents tried to install wire tapping
equipment in an apartment building in a quiet suburb
of the capital, Bern. The reported aim was to listen
in on the telephone conversations of a Swiss citizen
of Lebanese origin. Swiss officials say the man had
links with the Lebanese militant organization,
Hezbollah.
Because of an observant woman tenant, the undercover
operation went badly wrong. After midnight, she heard
strange noises in the basement of the building, went
to investigate and notified the police. Three of the
agents were caught. Two others were apprehended
outside the building. A sixth agent, believed to be
the head of the operation, was never caught.
In the best tradition of spy novels, four of the
agents managed through a variety of ruses to persuade
the Swiss police to let them go. The fifth man, known
under the alias of Issac Bental, was jailed for more
than two-months. He was released after Israel paid
bail of two-million-dollars and promised that he would
return to face trial.
Switzerland threatened to break off relations unless
Israel apologized. In a departure from its normal
procedure, Israel eventually offered an apology.
Issac Bental faces up to 20-years imprisonment if
found guilty of spying for another country. Swiss
officials say he admitted accepting the mission from
Mossad. Mr. Bental reportedly told the Swiss he
wanted - in his words - to save lives and contribute
personally to prevent further lethal attempts of
Hezbollah. (SIGNED)
NEB/LS/GE/RAE
03-Jul-2000 12:24 PM EDT (03-Jul-2000 1624 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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