(AP) -- A Swiss investigating judge on Friday recommended that the federal attorney general file charges against an Israeli agent caught in a bungled Mossad spying operation.

(AP) -- A Swiss investigating judge on Friday recommended that the federal attorney general file charges against an Israeli agent caught in a bungled Mossad spying operation.

Swiss Federal Magistrate Monique Saudan said she had concluded her investigation into the February 19, 1998, attempt by five Israelis to install telephone bugging equipment in an apartment building outside the Swiss capital Berne.

The other four were released after questioning, but the man who is to be charged was held because a bag in his possession contained espionage tools. A separate investigation continues against the other four.

The detained agent admitted that he was assigned to install the wire tap, Saudan's office said last year. He said he intended "to save lives and contribute personally to prevent further lethal attempts of Hezbollah."

Hezbollah is the Iranian-backed guerrilla group fighting the Israeli presence in south Lebanon.

A Lebanese-born Swiss citizen thought to have been the target of the operation denied he had any links with the guerrilla organization.

Israeli media have also said he was linked to 1992 and 1994 bombings of Jewish targets in Buenos Aires and Argentina. The blasts left more than 100 people dead.

Israel, which apologized for the espionage operation, paid some $2 million to bail out the arrested agent in April 1998 and guaranteed he would appear for trial in Switzerland.

Saudan did not specify what charges should be filed, but her investigation covered suspected illegal acts for a foreign government, political espionage and attempted eavesdropping on the conversations of others.


Source: AP

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