Technician Charged in Releasing Nuclear Data

TEL AVIV —  Mordechai Vanunu, who told a London newspaper that Israel has more than 100 nuclear weapons, was charged today with aiding an enemy and could face a death sentence, the Justice Ministry said.

The former nuclear technician is accused of giving The Sunday Times of London classified information he allegedly obtained at the Israeli nuclear facility where he worked. Vanunu, whose case is considered one of the most severe security breaches in Israel’s history, was charged with aiding an enemy in wartime and with two counts of aggravated espionage.