Israel confirms man with dual citizenship held under court order

The statement says a man (unnamed) with dual Israeli-Australian citizenship was imprisoned under a false name and eventually committed suicide. According to the statement, the family (of Ben Zygier alias Ben Alon) was notified of his arrest and he was represented throughout due process by lawyers, his rights as prisoner upheld in court according to law. When he was found dead in his cell about two years ago, the Rishon Lezion Magistrate ordered an investigation into the cause of death. A month and a half ago (sic), it was pronounced suicide and the file was passed to the State Attorney to probe possible negligence.

This statement partially lifted the gag order on the affair, although more aspects remained banned for publication for “national security considerations.” DEBKAfile: The official statement sheds no light on how the prisoner was able to take his own life in a top-security prison cell under constant surveillance or the charges which led to his incarceration.