Record at a Glance
- Clemency type
- Pardon
- Presidential term
- 2017–2021
- Federal district
- District of Columbia
- Offense
- Espionage - conspiracy to gather or deliver national defense information (two counts); violation of Subversive Activities Control Act - receiving or obtaining classified information by foreign agent
- Sentence
- N/A
- Current status
- Status unclear from available authoritative sources.
Background
Accused in the Jonathan Pollard espionage matter; DOJ lists no sentence. Do not label him convicted. Obtain the indictment to resolve inconsistent 1986/1987 indictment dates in public summaries.
Original Case
DOJ lists: Espionage - conspiracy to gather or deliver national defense information (two counts); violation of Subversive Activities Control Act - receiving or obtaining classified information by foreign agent. Sentence: N/A. Plea/trial history and any amendments beyond this table require case-document review.
Clemency
Pardon on January 19, 2021. Individual warrant scope requires review.
Trump Connection
White House identified Benjamin Netanyahu, Ron Dermer, U.S. ambassador David Friedman and Miriam Adelson as supporters of Sella’s clemency request.
Since Clemency
2021-09-01 · military status
Israel announced Sella's promotion to brigadier general after approval by the army chief and defense minister.
Legal Status: Military promotion; not a U.S. judicial finding.
- Development Source
Israel promotion reportAssociated Press via KTVZ
- Development Source
Sources
- Primary Documentation
DOJ: Pardons Granted by President Donald J. Trump (2017–2021)U.S. Department of Justice2026-09-24 - Primary Documentation
DOJ clemency document: Aviem SellaU.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney2026-09-24 active - Primary Documentation
White House clemency announcementArchived White House