Israelis admit to passport fraud July 2, 2004 - 5:05PM
Two Israeli men investigated by Australia's spy agency have admitted trying to unlawfully acquire a New Zealand passport.
Urie Zoshe Kelman, 30, and Eli Cara, 50, pleaded guilty in the Auckland High Court to one charge of participating in an organised crime group by attempting to unlawfully obtain a New Zealand passport.
Justice Judith Potter convicted the pair and remanded them in custody for sentencing on July 15.
A third man, Zev William Barkan, and "persons unknown" - who have not been located - were also allegedly involved in trying to obtain a passport in the name of a wheelchair-bound cerebral palsy sufferer.
Cara and Kelman had earlier denied three charges after being arrested in Auckland in late March.
In April, the New Zealand Herald reported that senior government officials believed that Kelman and Cara, who claimed to be a Sydney-based travel agent, were Israeli secret service agents.
Australia's spy agency has been investigating an Australian connection to the case.
In May, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) director-general Dennis Richardson said as a matter of routine ASIO investigated all allegations of that kind.
But he told a Senate estimates committee that he could reveal nothing because it was an ongoing inquiry.
Kelman entered the Auckland courtroom wearing a balaclava and sunglasses in an attempt to hide from waiting media.
Cara and Kelman had earlier denied three joint charges of attempting to obtain a New Zealand passport and participating in an organised crime group to obtain a false passport.
The reference to the organised crime group is due to the number of people involved, and not the reported links to the Israeli secret service Mossad.
The prosecution submitted an amended indictment containing only one charge.
No reason was given in court for the change of plea, and the men's lawyers would not comment.
Prime Minister Helen Clark's office also declined to comment on the case ahead, given that sentencing had yet to take place.
