Virginia - US Sailor Spied For Israel

Virginia - A US Navy sailor, Ariel J. Weinmann, is suspected of spying for Israel and has been held in prison for four months. Weinmann is being held at a military base on suspicion of espionage and desertion.

According to the navy, Weinmann was apprehended on March 26 "after it was learned that he had been listed as a deserter by his command." When he was returning from an undisclosed "foreign country." American sources close to the Defense Department said that Israel was the country in question.

The veracity of the claim that Weinmann is suspected of spying for Israel remains in question, and military and Pentagon spokesmen are remaining tightlipped. A public affairs officer at the Office of Naval Intelligence said that he was unaware of the allegations against Weinmann.
According to the navy, "Weinmann was assigned to the USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) and had deserted on or about July 3, 2005." The Albuquerque is a Los Angeles-class attack submarine.
Though the navy's initial press release contained no reference to Israel, they stated that more detailed information about the case would be released shortly.