CAIRO: A senior Egyptian official has reportedly told the London-based al-Hayat newspaper that alleged Israeli spy Ilan Grapel is “not a spy.” Grapel, also an American citizen, was arrested on June 12 after allegedly attempting to gather information for Israel on the current political situation in Egypt and on sectarian tensions in the country. According to the report, he is to be released this week after four months in jail. Grapel was charged by local authorities with spying for Israel. His parents visited him on Saturday along with US consul general to Egypt, Roberto Powers. the American Embassy in Cairo has called on the Egyptian government for Grapel's lawyers to visit their client. The same report said Grapel allegedly confessed that he came to Egypt as an Israeli agent to gather intelligence about the January 25 Revolution and the sectarian violence in the Imbaba neighborhood in the Giza governorate and the Soul village in Helwan. Grapel was seen on video during a Tahrir Square demonstration after the revolution holding a sign promoting the Egyptian uprising and smiling. BM
