The Beersheba District Court permitted publication on Thursday that a parole board rejected former minister Gonen Segev’s request for early release, adopting the prosecution’s position and citing, among other factors, the stance of Israel’s security authorities.
In a statement cleared for release, Segev’s bid was rejected after the parole committee accepted arguments from the prosecution, including assessments from security officials that weighed against shortening his sentence.
Segev is serving an 11-year prison sentence imposed in February 2019 after he admitted, as part of a plea agreement, to aggravated espionage and to passing information to the enemy in a case involving Iranian intelligence.
Segev – once a cabinet minister and Knesset member – was arrested in 2018 in an operation led by the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) and Israel Police on suspicion of spying against Israel and maintaining ties with Iranian intelligence operatives.
Former minister Gonen Segev met with Iranian handlers
Authorities said at the time that Segev knowingly met Iranian handlers abroad, including in Iran, used covert and encrypted communications, and transferred information that included matters related to Israel’s energy sector and other state and security-related details.
Under the plea agreement ultimately approved by the Jerusalem District Court, Segev admitted to aggravated espionage and to passing information to the enemy and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.