Back In Solitary

The last month before his release date is proving to be a trying one for long-imprisoned nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu.

On March 14, Vanunu spoke to another inmate in the prison courtyard. He told him he would like to leave Israel when released, and also mentioned that another prisoner, right-wing activist Noam Federman, was cursing and harassing him, and inciting other prisoners against him.

Because of a new regulation forbidding prisoners to speak with Vanunu, the man he conversed with was put in solitary confinement until questioned by security officials.

As a result of the incident, Vanunu's visitation privileges were suspended for 2 weeks.

Two days later, on March 16, Israeli newspapers reported that Vanunu was assaulted by Federman and some other inmates. Guards intervened after they noticed what was happening, and they sent Vanunu to his cell. He is being kept in solitary confinement for an unknown period of time.

But freedom for Mordechai Vanunu is near at hand! Solitary confinement, arbitrary red lines he's not allowed to cross, restricted visits and censored letters will soon be a thing of the past.