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Israelis Who Trained Colombians May Stand Trial for Illegal Exports

September 7, 1989
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The police are expected to recommend this week that Yair Klein and his associates be brought to trial for illegally exporting military expertise to Colombia.

If convicted, he could face a prison term of up to three years for illegal export of military know-how to a foreign country.

Klein, a lieutenant colonel in the Israel Defense Force reserves, heads Hod Hahanit, a security consultant firm whose name translates as Spearhead.

It has been under investigation since last month by the serious crimes division of the national police for its activities in Colombia. Klein and several of his aides have been questioned.

They allegedly provided military training and know-how to unofficial groups in Colombia without the requisite licenses from the Israeli Defense Ministry.

According to unconfirmed media reports, Klein personally trained assassination squads for a Colombian drug cartel.

But the probe has been limited to the licensing problem. Police said they had no information to substantiate the drug allegations.

They said the Colombian authorities have failed to respond to requests for additional data made more than two weeks ago. But the file remains open, and if new information is forthcoming, Klein will be questioned again, the police said.

So far, Klein maintains that his work in Colombia was perfectly legal and that because his clients were non-governmental, he required no license.

He says he trained security guards for Colombian ranchers and farmers who were being harassed by guerrillas and cattle rustlers.

A decision to prosecute rests with the state attorney. If Klein goes to trial, the case will be heard by a magistrates court.

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