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Adolf Eichmann, one of the most notorious Nazi war criminals, who has been hiding for 15 years, was found recently by the Israel Security Services and is now under arrest in Israel, where he will shortly be put on trial. This dramatic announcement was made by the Prime Minister in the Knesset yesterday afternoon. It caused unprecedented excitement in the Chamber and shortly thereafter in the streets outside. Mr. Ben-Gurion's announcement read as follows: "I have to inform the Knesset that a short time ago one of the greatest Nazi war criminals, Adolf Eichmann, who was responsible, together with the Nazi leaders, for what they called "the final solution of the Jewish question," that is, the extermination of six million of the Jews of Europe, was found by the Israel Security Services. "Adolf Eichmann is already under arrest in Israel, and will shortly be placed on trial in Israel under the terms of the Law for the Punishment of Nazis and Nazi Collaborators, 5710-1950." The news of Eichmann's arrest spread quickly to Jerusalem's adjacent business center and at 4:30, only half-an-hour after Mr. Ben-Gurion's announcement, both evening papers came out in Tel Aviv with special editions which were in demand faster than newsboys could sell them. Speculation Rife At a press conference in the Knesset building, Minister of Justice Mr. Pinhas Rosen stressed that everything would be done to hasten Eichmann's trial. He presumed that he would be charged with crimes against the Jewish people for which the penalty is death. Mr. Rosen said that West Germany was the only other country to have issued a warrant of arrest against Eichmann. Asked whether another country could ask for Eichmann's extradition, Mr. Rosen said that he would first have to serve the sentence pronounced against him here before an extradition request could be considered. Eichmann is entitled to, and will receive, full legal defense, even if he should request legal counsel from abroad, Mr. Rosen said. Up to now he has not been fully interrogated and the charge sheet against him would soon be prepared, Mr. Rosen added. Other States Not Told No other government has been officially informed of Eichmann's arrest, Mr. Rosen said, and Mr. Ben-Gurion's statement in the Knesset should be considered as an official announcement to all interested governments. Excerpts from The Jerusalem Post, May 24 1960 |
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