Quote:
Freed Vanunu 'proud' of actions
Vanunu said 18 years jail had not broken his spirit
Former Israeli nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu has been freed after spending nearly 18 years in jail for leaking atomic weapons secrets.
Vanunu was released from Shikma prison in Ashkelon on Wednesday after completing his sentence for treason.
After walking free to a mixture of jeers and cheers, he made a statement saying he had suffered "very cruel and barbaric treatment".
He said he was "very proud and happy" but had no further secrets to leak.
Answering questions from reporters, Vanunu said he was "not totally free" because of the restrictions Israel had placed on him, including a ban on travel outside the country.
He said he wanted to go to the United States, get married and start a family.
He said he had been treated harshly because he had converted to Christianity.
Restrictions
Despite his protestations, the authorities say Vanunu still possesses information that could jeopardise Israel's security.
He is not allowed to have a passport, is forbidden to approach ports and airports, and has been told not to talk to foreigners without permission.
Vanunu was jailed for revealing details of Israel's clandestine nuclear arms programme.
On the basis of the information he gave to the UK's Sunday Times newspaper in 1986, analysts concluded Israel had scores of nuclear warheads.
Supporters had gathered outside the jail, waving banners and calling Vanunu a "hero of peace". But many in Israel see him as a traitor.
Israel said it could have placed much tougher post-release restrictions on Vanunu - and the length of time the current regime will remain in force depends on his behaviour.
The travel restrictions will be reviewed after one year.
The defence ministry says it has given him a map of Israel marking the areas off-limits to him including ports and airports.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world...645225.stm
Mek!
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