Algeria has reported that Israel was recruiting operatives to spy on the North African country. Several suspects have been arrested and one was convicted.

On July 7, an Algerian court sentenced an Algerian journalist to 10 years for espionage. Said Sahnoun was convicted on charges of working with Israel's Mossad and providing intelligence on the Algerian military.

Officials said Sahnoun, 44, was trained in Israel on how to collect intelligence. They said Sahnoun was ordered to provide intelligence on Algeria's military, economy and political leadership.

The Algerian court also tried a police officer on charges of spying for Israel. The 31-year-old officer, in a trial held in camera, was acquitted.

Algeria has launched a military modernization program based on Russian platforms and systems. In March 2006, Algiers signed a cooperation agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin designed to procure $7.5 billion worth of combat aircraft, air trainers and air defense systems from Moscow. Some of the platforms have already arrived.

Western intelligence sources said Algeria has also been developing a nuclear infrastructure that could produce weapons. Algeria was said to have been cooperating with Iran in the effort.