US scientist linked to Chandrayaan held for spying

Washington, Oct 21: A US scientist, who had played a key role in India's Chandrayaan mission,was arrested on Tuesday, Oct 20 by the FBI on charges of spying for Israel.

The Justice Department said that Stewart David Nozette has been charged in a criminal complaint with attempting to communicate, deliver and transmit classified information.

In its complaint filed by the FBI before a US Court, "He is being accused of spying for Israel and an unnamed country, which is being code-worded as "Country A" in the 18-page charge sheet."

According to ISRO sources in Bangalore, Nozette did visit ISRO facilities at least twice but he was not allowed into the sensitive and restricted areas.

Nozette, a Mini-RF principal investigator from the Universities Space Research Associations Lunar and Planetary Institute, was widely quoted and interviewed by the media both here and in India during the Chandrayaan mission.

OneIndia News