Israeli police put nuclear whistleblower Mr Mordechai Vanunu under house arrest today on suspicion of spilling more state secrets, seven months after he completed an 18-year prison term for treason.
Mr Vanunu was bundled into an unmarked car at the Jerusalem church where he has lived since he left jail in April, witnesses said.
Barred from going abroad or meeting foreign media for a probationary period, he had been under constant surveillance. "He (Vanunu) is suspected of passing classified information to unauthorised parties," a police spokesman said.
"He is also suspected of violating the terms of his release."
Mr Vanunu (50) denied the allegations when brought to court later today.
Flashing the V for victory sign with both his hands, he said: "The atomic secrets (he revealed) have already been told around the world."
He was later released and put under house arrest for a week in a hostel attached to the church, police said, adding that they had confiscated documents and three laptop computers from his room in the church and would examine them for classified information.
Barred from going abroad or meeting foreign media for a probationary period, Mr Vanunu had been under constant surveillance.
Despite the restrictions, he gave interviews to reporters which he said were the sole grounds for his arrest.