President Chaim Herzog has rejected an appeal to pardon Udi Adiv, a kibbutz member who has served 11 years of a 17 year prison term for spying.
Adiv was sentenced in 1973 after his conviction on charges of passing information to Syrian intelligence agents during visits to Syria and Greece. Prison authorities have refused to allow the customary one-third reduction of his sentence for good behavior to which Adiv’s conduct has entitled him.
Herzog’s office said the President had given most serious consideration to the numerous public appeals for a pardon but decided to abide by the recommendations of Justice Minister Moshe Nissim against a pardon. A statement released on behalf of Herzog said, “In the light of the essence and seriousness of the crime, there is no justification to grant a pardon or to reduce the punishment set by the court.”
Herzog favored a furlough for Adiv to allow him to marry. But his fiancee reportedly rejected the offer because she would not marry a man who must return to jail immediately after their wedding.
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