France has released two Palestinian terrorists serving 15-year prison sentences for murder, apparently as part of a deal with the terrorist group headed by Abu Nidal to refrain from terrorist acts inside France.
The deal reportedly dates back to 1982, after French police found conclusive evidence that the Nidal gang was responsible for the machinegun and grenade attack on a Jewish restaurant on the Rue Des Rosiers in the summer of 1982 in which six people were killed.
The government apparently was anxious to prevent a recurrence of such outrages in France. But newspapers here said the two terrorists were set free this month to improve chances of freedom for four French nationals being held hostage in Lebanon by pro-Syrian, pro-Iranian extremists. Husni Hattem, 32, and Assad Kayed, 28, drew 15-year sentences for the cold-blooded slaying of Palestine Liberation Organization representative Ezzedine Kallak in August, 1978. Kallak and one of his aides were on Nidal’s hit list because they were allegedly “too moderate” and “traitors to the Palestinian cause.” As part of the deal, the French insisted the two men serve part of their sentences.
They were freed on February 5 and flown out of the country, their lawyers said.
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