The World - News from May 4, 1989

Israeli nuclear spy Mordechai Vanunu appealed his 18-year prison term for treason and espionage behind closed doors in Jerusalem after the High Court rejected a request by lawyers for an open hearing. Vanunu, convicted in March, 1988, for telling a British newspaper that Israel had produced as many as 200 nuclear bombs, was taken to court under heavy guard nearly two hours before the proceedings began. Vanunu’s trial was also closed to the public. Israel has never confirmed or denied possessing nuclear arms, saying only it would not be the first country to introduce such weapons into the Middle East.