The Israel Government today announced details of the arrangements made for the trial of Adolf Eichmann, notorious Nazi leader who directed the mass-killing of 6,000,000 Jews in Europe. At the same time it was also announced that the German lawyer, R Servatius, has been found acceptable as the lawyer for Eichmann after an investigation which established that he never belonged to the Nazi party and had no connection with it.
The trial, which is expected to start in the spring of next year, will be conducted in Hebrew with simultaneous German translation, today’s announcement said. It is also hoped that simultaneous translation in French and English will be available to newspaper correspondents. The correspondents will receive a daily record of the proceedings in four languages.
Today’s announcement is intended primarily as information to editorial offices throughout the world which may wish to assign special correspondents to cover the Eichmann trial. The deadline for registration of such correspondents is given in the announcement as September 30. The Government Press Office reserves the right to reject or accredit any correspondent not registered by that date.
News agencies, newspapers, radio and television stations wishing to send correspondents to cover the trial should submit their requests for accreditation in writing, stating the number and the names of the correspondents, if possible. Under court practice in Israel, no filming or photographing is permitted in the court room. However, it is contemplated to have one official cameraman or photographer who will supply films to all interested.
The correspondents will have to make their own arrangements for hotel accommodations. Israeli diplomatic and consular representatives abroad will be kept informed of all preparations for news coverage and will be consulted for further clarification.
The Israel Parliament will soon approve a special bill amending the Lawyers’ Ordinance that only attorneys registered in Israel can appear in Israeli courts. This will be done in order to enable the German lawyer to appear as Eichmann’s defense counsel. All political parties in Israel, except the Communist Party, have agreed to approve this amendment without any debate, in order to avoid discussion which would inevitably involve the Eichmann case now subjudice.
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