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Last update - 22:17 20/10/2009
U.S. extends remand of would-be spy for Israel
By Yossi Melman and Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondents and News Agencies
Tags: NASA, Israel News, Israel spy 

Stewart David Nozette, the former NASA scientist who was arrested for offering to pass along classified information to an FBI agent posing as an Israeli intelligence officer, appeared in court on Tuesday for the first time since arrest.

Nozette waived his right to detention hearings at the U.S. district court in Washington DC until October 29. His remand has been extended until then.


I
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sraeli and American sources said on Tuesday that Nozette had business dealings with Israel Aerospace Industries. Nozette, who is credited with helping discover evidence of water on the moon, was arrested by federal authorities on Monday.

According to the Israeli and American sources, Nozette was hired as an outside consultant to the company. An IAI spokesperson refused to comment on the matter, only to say that it was checking the reports. IAI is Israel's largest exporter of defense and aerospace technology.

During the hearing on Tuesday, a State Prosecutor said the allegations would be viewed with utmost severity.

"Nozette planned to betray the U.S. and was captured on surveillance trying to convey top secret information to the foreign governments. Due to the potential of causing grave damage to U.S. security he most likely faces incarceration for the rest of his life."

The Justice Department said Nozette, 52, of suburban Chevy Chase, Maryland, was charged in a criminal complaint with attempting to communicate, deliver and transmit classified information to an individual he believed to be an Israeli intelligence officer.

The complaint does not allege that the government of Israel or anyone acting on its behalf violated U.S. law.


One of Nozette's Jewish neighbors in Chevy Chase told Haaretz on Tuesday that he was surprised to learn both of the allegations and also of the suspect's Jewish identity.

"He was not really neighborly. He kept to himself. He was a smart but weird guy and we didn't even know he was Jewish," said the neighbor.

In Jerusalem, where the story broke late at night, Israeli government officials had no immediate comment.

Nozette was arrested Monday by FBI agents. He is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in Washington on Tuesday.

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      1.   Nothing adds up here? 14:39  |  Heather Czerniak 20/10/09
      2.   Ah, so that`s it!! 14:52  |  Yaakov Sullivan 20/10/09
      3.   Glad our tax dollars are at work 14:57  |  Benjamin 20/10/09
      4.   Odd that the NYTimes published this story in their Science Times 16:07  |  New Jersey 20/10/09
      5.   something is missing here 16:26  |  Joshua 20/10/09
      6.   why they are making a case against Israel at this time 16:34  |  Avi 20/10/09
      7.   something is missing here 16:37  |  Joshua 20/10/09
      8.   Everything adds up Heather 16:57  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      9.   I do not see any `case` against Israel Avi 17:01  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      10.   For those who are arguing entrapment 17:33  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      11.   If I was American 17:45  |  ragged soul 20/10/09
      12.   A real spy would know his Israeli contact this is BS 17:58  |  Big Sur 20/10/09
      13.   #2 Yaakov you are talking through your hat again 18:01  |  Big Sur 20/10/09
      14.   The "ragged soul" speaks the truth. 18:12  |  bob 20/10/09
      15.   Strange story. 18:20  |  Ami ben Abraam 20/10/09
      16.   Had he been an Israeli spy 18:29  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      17.   Whats most revealing 19:06  |  RfaelMoshe 20/10/09
      18.   For those who think they understand an "entrapment" defense... 19:14  |  Dr. L. Brnd 20/10/09
      19.   #12 Big Sur 19:22  |  Elmer 20/10/09
      20.   #19 Elmer 2nd try why would I have to be there? 19:56  |  Big Sur 20/10/09
      21.   #16 Mr. Lincoln, I agree with you 20:23  |  Big Sur 20/10/09
      22.   Suckeeerrrsss America! 20:38  |  Maureen Ann 20/10/09
      23.   #22 Maureen anne ANother Judge for UNIFL 21:16  |  Big Sur 20/10/09
      24.   Everyone misses the point 21:39  |  Woody 20/10/09
      25.   #3--you are incorrect on two points, not a spy for Israel 22:00  |  Paul Freedman 20/10/09
      26.   Maureen Ann - another interpretation 22:25  |  Mark Lincoln 20/10/09
      27.   #21 Big Sur 22:52  |  Mark B. 20/10/09
      28.   or.. 23:09  |  edgar 20/10/09
      29.   #1 23:16  |  Harold 20/10/09
      30.   #6 23:18  |  Harold 20/10/09
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