Israel’s Justice Ministry is confirming that it imprisoned an Australian-Israeli man known as “Prisoner X” for security reasons, and that he died in custody. The ministry claims that Prisoner X was held under a legal warrant and his rights were retained, even though he was found hanged in his jail cell in December, 2010.

Australian media as Ben Zygier from Melbourne has identified “Prisoner X”.  He reportedly worked for Israel’s highly secretive security agency Mossad until he somehow ran afoul of his employers.  Fairfax media reports Zygier was under investigation by the Australian Security Intelligence Organization on suspicion of using his passport for espionage purposes.

Israel is not saying why Zygier was being held, and why his name was kept secret even from his jailers who knew of him only as Prisoner X.

UPDATE:  New reports say Australia's government was told of Zygier's detainment as early as February 2010.  Israel's Mossad at that time gave its assurances of Zygier's safety.