'Grapel denies spy charges to Egyptian investigators'

Egyptian report: Accused Mossad spy tells authorities information sent on Internet didn't include sensitive security information.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Ilan Grapel_311 (photo credit: Channel 10 News)
Ilan Grapel_311
(photo credit: Channel 10 News)
Accused Mossad spy and dual American-Israeli citizen Ilan Grapel detained in Egypt denied all charges he was working for the Mossad and told Egyptian investigators that information that he had sent through the internet did not include sensitive information about Egypt, according to a report by Egyptian newspaper Al Masry Al Youm on Wednesday.
According to the report, Grapel told Egyptian authorities that he had sent emails to family and friends as reassurance during the uprising in Egypt and that information passed on did not include any secrets from Egypt. All the information could be found on the Internet and was broadcast on Egyptian and Arab news channels, Grapel told investigators. He admitted to serving in the IDF for two years and three months.
RELATED:Legal experts: Ilan Grapel fortunate to be US citizen The spy ‘scandal’ that wasn't Azzam Azzam offers advice for accused spy in Egypt
Egyptian prosecutors claim that messages sent by Grapel to the Mossad amount up to about 20 messages which included information and pictures about events in the country, the report said.
The investigation revealed that Grapel allegedly visited the Luxor province and had collected information on tourist sites in the area. He also reportedly visited the Jewish community headquarters in Alexandria where he was photographed.
In addition, Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram on Wednesday reported that Grapel is an important element in the Israeli intelligence agency and participated on the frontlines of "Israeli aggression on Lebanon" despite denying spy allegations.
The report also claimed that Grapel had received advanced training in the Mossad and had sent reports on the security situation in Egypt.
Israeli diplomatic officials in Cairo met on Tuesday with Grapel and said he was in good condition. Israel was continuing to work behind the scenes for his release, the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem said
Earlier on Tuesday, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said his office was in contact with the relevant American and Egyptian officials. While Grapel falls under American jurisdiction because he entered Egypt using his US passport, Israeli officials said they consider themselves responsible to help him.
Gil Hoffman, Tovah Lazaroff and Reuters contributed to this report.