Vanunu released after attempting to reach Bethlehem

Police said Vanunu, a convert to Christianity from Judaism, had defied travel restrictions imposed after his release in April from an 18-year prison term for treason. He was detained for questioning on Thursday.

Vanunu's revelations to a British newspaper led experts to conclude that Israel had between 100 and 200 nuclear weapons.

Vanunu was ordered to post bail of 50,000 shekels (e11,500) and to remain at his lodgings at Saint George's Anglican cathedral in Jerusalem for the next five days.

"We are not planning to charge him," a police spokeswoman said.

"A few days ago he was warned not to go to Bethlehem but he told us during our investigation that even though he knew he was prohibited, he still tried to cross in order to come to pray," said police spokesman Shmulik Ben-Ruby on Friday.

Under restrictions imposed after Vanunu's release, he is banned from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Bethlehem is under Palestinian control.

Vanunu is also forbidden from speaking to journalists and was arrested six weeks ago for breaking this restriction. He was released after a few hours.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/518855.html