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Israel Supreme Court Upholds Espionage Conviction of Kurt Sitte

June 29, 1961
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The Supreme Court of Israel unanimously upheld today the conviction of Professor Kurt Sitte, 51, internationally known expert on cosmic radiation, on three counts of espionage against Israel. It dismissed a fourth count on which the Czechoslovak-born scientist had been convicted in Haifa District Court. All changes involved transmittal of secret information to an unidentified foreign power from 1955 to 1957.

Professor Sitte was head of the physics department at the Haifa Institute of Technology and deputy to the director of its research department. His trial was held in complete secrecy. Prior to settling in Israel some years ago, Professor Sitte, who is not Jewish, had lectured in British and American universities. While in prison, it was said, Prof. Sitte has been permitted to keep a large scientific library, continuing research work on non-security matters.

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