Mordechai Ben Masoud Louk (also known as Josef Dahan) was an Israeli adventurer who was convicted by Israeli courts to 10 years in prison for spying for Egypt.[1] He came to the focus of international attention when he was discovered by Italian authorities at the Rome airport, bound, gagged, drugged and packed in a trunk being sent to Cairo as diplomatic mail.[2][3] In Rome Louk admitted to having "spied" for Egypt[4] and was extradited to Israel on Israel's request.[5]

Mordechai Ben Masoud Louk
Born
Spanish Morocco
NationalityIsraeli
Other namesJosef Dahan
Occupation(s)Adventurer, spy
Known forSpying for Egypt, international incident in Rome
Criminal chargeEspionage
Criminal penalty10 years in prison

Louk arrived in Israel from Spanish Morocco in 1949 and settled in Tel Aviv.[4] In 1961 Louk defected from the Israeli army and escaped into the Gaza Strip, leaving behind a wife and four children.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Israel Supreme Court Reduces Prison Term for 'man in Trunk'". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. April 28, 1966. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
  2. ^ "Italy Expels 2 Egyptian Envoys Accused in Trunk Abduction Attempt". The New York Times. November 19, 1964. p. 1. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
  3. ^ "Kidnapped by Egypt: The Spy In The Air Express Trunk—It's Fact, Not Fiction—And It Has Happened Before". Prince George (B.C.) Citizen (p. 1). November 18, 1964.
  4. ^ a b "Kidnap Victim Admits He's Spy for Arabs". Desert Sun. UPI. 19 November 1964. p. 15. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
  5. ^ J. Dana Stuster (July 3, 2013). "How Do You Flee a Country Without Leaving It?". Foreign Policy.
  6. ^ "Israel May Seek Extradition of 'dahan' from Italy; Defected to Egypt". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. November 20, 1964. Retrieved 2019-11-18.