Israel says a A$1.2 Million payout to the family of Melbournian Ben Zygier, the alleged Mossad spy who killed himself in an Israeli prison in 2010, is “not an admission of wrongdoing”.

The settlement comes seven months after the story of “Prisoner X” first busted out in Australia.  In February, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation revealed his identity, as well as the circumstances of his detention, even though for years Israel refused to acknowledge his existence.  For some time prior to his suicide, even the jail guards didn't know who Ben Zygier was, so tight was the security.

Israeli officials claim Zygier had jeopardized national security and held him in isolation in a windowless cell at the high-security Ayalon prison near Tel Aviv while Zygier prepared his defense.  But he hanged himself in December, 2010.

Israel’s attorney general concluded that despite the “supervision defects” that led to Zygier’s death, there was insufficient evidence to bring any charges.