Spy for Israel to be released from US prison
(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) The only man ever to be imprisoned on charges of spying for a US ally will be released from prison on November 21st, his lawyers said.
The former US Navy intelligence officer has been locked up for 30 years since being convicted of spying for Israel. The Department of Justice said it will not object to the decision to release him.
"The decision to grant parole was made unanimously by the three members of the Parole Commission, who make their decisions independently of any other US government agency," Pollard's lawyers, Eliot Lauer and Jacques Semmelman, said in a statement, late on Tuesday. The two said they were "delighted" by the news.
Rumors of Pollard's impending release emerged last week. His freedom is believed to be a move by the Obama Administration to appease the Israelis, as tensions between the two countries remain high following the Iran nuclear deal. Lauer and Semmelman, however, insisted that is not the case.
"The decision is not connected to recent developments in the Middle East. Had parole been denied, Mr. Pollard would have been required to serve an additional 15 years in prison," they said.
"The Notice of Action requires Mr. Pollard to remain in the United States for five years. President [Barack] Obama, who has the constitutional power of executive clemency, has the authority to release Mr. Pollard before November 21, 2015, as well as the authority to allow Mr. Pollard to leave the United States and move to Israel immediately," they said in the joint statement.
"We respectfully urge the President to exercise his clemency power in this manner."
The former US Navy intelligence officer has been locked up for 30 years since being convicted of spying for Israel. The Department of Justice said it will not object to the decision to release him.
"The decision to grant parole was made unanimously by the three members of the Parole Commission, who make their decisions independently of any other US government agency," Pollard's lawyers, Eliot Lauer and Jacques Semmelman, said in a statement, late on Tuesday. The two said they were "delighted" by the news.
Rumors of Pollard's impending release emerged last week. His freedom is believed to be a move by the Obama Administration to appease the Israelis, as tensions between the two countries remain high following the Iran nuclear deal. Lauer and Semmelman, however, insisted that is not the case.
"The decision is not connected to recent developments in the Middle East. Had parole been denied, Mr. Pollard would have been required to serve an additional 15 years in prison," they said.
"The Notice of Action requires Mr. Pollard to remain in the United States for five years. President [Barack] Obama, who has the constitutional power of executive clemency, has the authority to release Mr. Pollard before November 21, 2015, as well as the authority to allow Mr. Pollard to leave the United States and move to Israel immediately," they said in the joint statement.
"We respectfully urge the President to exercise his clemency power in this manner."
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