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Swiss Charge Three Arabs with Murder in Zurich Ambush of El Al Plane

August 18, 1969
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Three Arab terrorists who machine gunned an El Al Airliner at Zurich airport last Feb. 18 were charged with murder Friday in the death of an Israeli pilot trainee who succumbed to wounds suffered in the attack. Swiss authorities also brought a charge of murder in extenuating circumstances against Mordecai Rachamim, an armed guard employed by El Al, who shot to death a fourth member of the terrorist gang.

The Arabs, Ibrahim Tawfik, Mohammed Abu el-Haha and Miss Ammah Ahmed Dabbor, face possible sentences of life imprisonment. Mr. Rachamim faces a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. He was charged with murder “while prey to violent emotions made excusable by the circumstances” and for carrying out acts illegal for foreigners. The latter referred to his serving as an armed guard while on Swiss soil. The fatally wounded Israeli pilot was Yorum Peres, 25.

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