DATE=7/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SWISS SPY TRIAL (L-O) UPDATE
NUMBER=2-264019
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=

VOICED AT:


INTRO:  An Israeli secret agent is on trial nearly 
two-and-one-half years after his arrest on charges of 
spying in Switzerland.  Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports 
the man, identified as working for Israel's Mossad 
intelligence agency, appeared in a Lausanne court.

TEXT:  Six Mossad agents were involved in the 
operation.  All but one got away.  

It was supposed to have been a routine operation.  But 
everything went wrong.  Nearly two-and-one-half years 
ago, the Israeli agents tried to install wire tapping 
equipment in an apartment building in a quiet suburb 
of the capital, Bern.  The reported aim was to listen 
in on the telephone conversations of a Swiss citizen 
of Lebanese origin.  Swiss officials say the man had 
links with the Lebanese militant organization, 
Hezbollah.

Because of an observant woman tenant, the undercover 
operation went badly wrong.  After midnight, she heard 
strange noises in the basement of the building, went 
to investigate and notified the police.  Three of the 
agents were caught.  Two others were apprehended 
outside the building.  A sixth agent, believed to be 
the head of the operation, was never caught.

In the best tradition of spy novels, four of the 
agents managed through a variety of ruses to persuade 
the Swiss police to let them go.  The fifth man, known 
under the alias of Issac Bental, was jailed for more 
than two-months.  He was released after Israel paid 
bail of two-million-dollars and promised that he would 
return to face trial.

Switzerland threatened to break off relations unless 
Israel apologized.  In a departure from its normal 
procedure, Israel eventually offered an apology.

Issac Bental faces up to 20-years imprisonment if 
found guilty of spying for another country.  Swiss 
officials say he admitted accepting the mission from 
Mossad.  Mr. Bental reportedly told the Swiss he 
wanted - in his words - to save lives and contribute 
personally to prevent further lethal attempts of 
Hezbollah.   (SIGNED)

NEB/LS/GE/RAE



03-Jul-2000 12:24 PM EDT (03-Jul-2000 1624 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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