Egyptian media are continuing to publish details on an "Israeli spy ring" which allegedly operated in its territory. The Al-Youm Al-Sabe'a daily said Monday that the two "Israeli handlers" who are wanted by the Egyptian prosecution have been identified as "Idi Moshe" and "Joseph Dimor". According to the report, the two men were in contact with local businessman Tarek Hassan between May 2008 and August 2010.
Hassan, Prosecutor Hisham Badawi said, has been charged with harming the country's national interests.
According to the reports, Hassan, a Kung Fu teacher, travelled to China in 2006. A year later, the Egyptian newspaper said, he approached the Mossad via email and said he was interested in working for the Israeli intelligence agency.
In August 2007 he received a phone call from "Joseph Dimor", an alleged Mossad agent, asking that the two meet in India.
During the meeting Hassan was given a $1,500 advance, and later that year he travelled to Thailand, where he made frequent visits to the Israeli embassy.
At the embassy, according to the report, Hassan met with the second wanted Israeli – "Idi Moshe" – who trained the Egyptian businessman in the gathering and transfer of intelligence information. Hassan was given an encrypted laptop computer to help him remain in contact with the handlers.
Al-Youm Al-Sabe'a further reported that Hassan's job, among others, was to damage ties between Cairo and Damascus.
AP contributed to the report