Story highlights Justice Department will not interfere with release

AG speaks at Aspen Security Forum

(CNN) Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard has served enough time in prison to be released according to the sentencing laws he was convicted under in 1985, and the Justice Department will not interfere in the case, Attorney General Lynch said on Saturday.

Lynch -- who also rejected any connection between his possible release and the Iran nuclear agreement -- said that Pollard was one of the few prisoner's still serving time under old sentencing structures which gave those with life terms for certain crimes the possibility of parole after lengthy stints behind bars.

"Our sentencing structure has changed in the late '80's and early '90's to where now a life sentence is in fact a life sentence. But under the law in which he was sentenced and the laws of our country which we abide It's not really a recommendation needed from us," Lynch said at the Aspen Security Forum.

Lynch also rejected speculation that Pollard's release could be timed to placate the Israeli government, which has long lobbied for his release, at a time when diplomatic tensions are high following a controversial nuclear deal with Iran.

"It would have been extremely far-thinking of people 30 years ago to sentence Mr. Pollard and set this mandatory release date to coincide with the Iran deal. And if they were able to pull that off I would be quite impressed," Lynch told NBC's Andrea Mitchell, who was moderating the session.

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