Ometz calls on A-G to probe Dagan on espionage charges

Gov't watchdog says Dagan should have maintained secrecy, warns "there is a risk that undue interests are at heart."

Dagan 311 (photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Dagan 311
(photo credit: Ariel Jerozolimski)
Quality government watchdog Ometz took its statements against former Mossad head Meir Dagan a step further on Sunday, sending a letter to Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein with a request that he launch an investigation to determine whether Dagan’s statements constituted a violation of the Penal Law.
“Since his retirement from the Mossad, Mr. Dagan has often made statements about issues that should be kept silent, including confidential security matters. The reasons for his statements are unknown and troubling, there is risk that there are undue interests at heart,” wrote Ometz attorney Pinchas Fishler.
Ometz argues that Dagan should have maintained secrecy and asked the attorney general to consider opening a criminal investigation into Dagan’s statements on suspicion of violating five articles of the Penal Law.
According to Ometz, Dagan is suspected of having violated article 113 – aggravated espionage, article 117 – disclosure in breach of duty, article 118 – disclosure in breach of contract, article 119 – disclosure in breach of trust and article 496 – disclosure of a professional secret.
According to article 113 of the Penal Law, if a person delivers any secret information without being authorized to do so, he is liable to 15 years imprisonment.