US set to free Israel spy Jonathan Pollard

The former US Navy intelligence officer, now 61, was caught selling classified documents in 1985 and given a life sentence two years later.

Pollard has been serving his sentence at a prison in North Carolina. His parole terms bar him from leaving the US without permission for five years.

He has said he wants to move to Israel to be reunited with his second wife.

Successive Israeli governments have tried to secure Pollard's freedom, in a case that has caused tension between the two countries.

Last year it was reported that the US was considering freeing Pollard in exchange for the continuation of peace talks and significant concessions from Israel to the Palestinians.b

Pollard's lawyers said earlier this year that they had found employment and accommodation for their client in the New York area, but gave no further details.

At the time of his arrest, Pollard said he gave classified documents to Israel because the US was not passing on important information.

However, some intelligence officials have said that he also offered information to other countries.

Israel initially denied Pollard had spied for them. However, in 1996, Israel made Pollard a citizen and two years later officials admitted he was their agent.

(BBC)