Louis Le Bouvier, British manager of the Ottoman Bank in Jerusalem, who was kidnapped by Arab terrorists, arrived here safely today after obtaining his release by payment of ransom. The bank official, who was seized while motoring along the Jerusalem-Jericho road, said he was freed yesterday afternoon. After walking in an easterly direction, he reached a Greek monastery where he spent the night. This morning monks escorted him to Jericho, where he got in touch with bank officials.
Le Bouvier said that his car was stopped on the highway Monday by 10 men who threatened him with rifles and forced him to alight and follow them. They marched during the night and hid in caves during the daytime, Le Bouvier added. He said he was very well-treated by the chieftain of the band, with whom he ate his meals. While his fate was being decided, Le Bouvier played a game of checkers with one of his captors. The banker incurred the enmity of Arab extremists by revealing that terrorist funds had been placed under fictitious names in his bank.
The authorities have taken measures to protect Nablus merchants who recently received threatening letters demanding they make money contributions to the terrorist cause. The sums demanded totalled $14,000, it was understood. The authorities forbade the merchants to pay the sums, under threat of prosecution.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
