For the second time, Vanunu seeks asylum in Norway

Saturday April 12, 2008 08:12 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Sources at the Norwegian government stated on Friday that the Israeli Nuclear whistleblower, Mordechai Vanunu, filed a second appeal to the Norwegian government to grant him political asylum.

Mordechai Vanunu

The sources added that the chances of a positive response are slim as his first appeal of 2004 was rejected.

Vanunu, who is barred from leaving Israel, filed the appeal to the Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.  

Israeli online daily, Haaretz, reported that a spokeswoman at the Norwegian Prime Minister’s office stated that the appeal was sent to the Ministry of Labor and Social inclusion on Thursday, and added that the ministry will handle it.

A Norwegian newspaper reported on Friday that an Israeli official stated that granting Vanunu asylum will be considered by Israel as a serious interference with its internal affairs. The paper added that it will also be “an indicative of Norwegian hostility towards Israel”.

Haaretz added that the Norwegian Labor and Social Inclusion Minister, Bjoern Haakon Hanssen, stated on Thursday that Norway does not grant asylum to persons who do not reside there, and that this appeal is “not timely” because Vanunu is barred from leaving Israel.

 Hanssen added that his government expects Vanunu to be treated with respect without being subjected to any violations.

In 2000, Vanunu was granted a honorary doctorate by the  of Tromsoe in north Norway, and the  rector of the university state don Thursday that he would offer Vanunu a job, Haaretz added.

Vanunu was imprisoned by Israel for 18 years after he told a British newspaper in 198 about his work at the Dimona Nuclear reactor. He worked there as a technician, and his statements  angered the Israeli government as he revealed information about Israel’s nuclear arsenal.

Israel released  Vanunu in 2004 on condition that he does not leave Israel or talk to the press, and in 2007 he was sentenced to six months for talking to the press..

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