Egypt to release Israeli-American
12 years ago
Egyptian authorities say they plan to release the Israeli-American citizen Ilan Grapel who was arrested in Cairo on suspicions of spying for Israel. The decision to free Grapel came after a visit by U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta to Cairo. An unnamed Egyptian official was quoted in the media saying it appears Grapel was not involved in espionage. According to report the United States offered Egypt an array of economic incentives in order to persuade the authorities to release Grapel. Grapel was arrested in June in Cairo and charged with inciting Egyptians to oppose the country's military leadership and sedition. He was raised in the United States and moved to Israel where he served in the IDF, and was injured during the Second Lebanon War.