The whistleblower has been detained

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli police have detained nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu for questioning, a security source told Reuters without citing reasons.

Vanunu was released in April after an 18-year prison term for discussing his work at Israel's atomic reactor in Dimona with a British newspaper. The interview led experts to conclude the Jewish state had nuclear weapons.

He was barred from leaving Israel after officials accused him of planning to leak more secrets on Israel's nuclear capabilities. He denied the allegations.

Police did not immediately comment on the detention on Thursday.

Security sources had said Vanunu was under surveillance on suspicion of giving unauthorised interviews to foreign media.

Vanunu's detention was overshadowed locally by the death of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat illness in Paris.