[JURIST] Egypt [JURIST news archive] police have arrested an Egyptian engineer on charges of spying on an atomic research program for Israel, AP reported Tuesday. According to Egyptian High State Security Prosecutor Hisham Badawi, Muhammad Sayed Saber allegedly gave files from his work at the Egyptian Atomic Energy Agency [FAS backgrounder] to the Israel Secret Intelligence Service (Mossad) [official website] service for $17,000. Egypt also named Irish citizen Brian Peter and Japanese citizen Shiro Izo as wanted in connection with the case.

Badawi said Saber was arrested in February, but police delayed the announcement until they had completed further investigation. Although Egypt has signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty [text; JURIST news archive], it is permitted to develop nuclear power under international supervision. AP has more.