Fed: DIO officer feared going to jail, report reveals

AAP General News (Australia)
12-01-2000
Fed: DIO officer feared going to jail, report reveals

A report has found that an Australian intelligence officer committed suicide after
being led to believe he faced up to seven years jail for revealing secret information.

A report into the death of Defence Intelligence Organisation officer MERVYN JENKINS
in Washington last year says Mr JENKINS believed he was being set up.

Mr JENKINS was found hanging in the garage of his home outside Washington five days
after being interviewed over the matter.

The report, prepared by former attorney-general's department secretary TONY BLUNN,
says Mr JENKINS disclosed classified documents to allies.

However, Mr JENKINS believed he was authorised to do so.

That prompted a joint security investigation by Defence and the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade.

But Mr BLUNN, who was commissioned to review the matter by Defence Minister JOHN MOORE,
says the inquiry should have been completed by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

Mr MOORE says the government will act on recommendations of the Blunn report, that
was released in part today.

Mr JENKINS' wife SANDRA says legal action for compensation from the Commonwealth will continue.

AAP RTV mb/daw/hn/jn

KEYWORD: JENKINS (CANBERRA)

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