The Rumanian Supreme Court has annulled the verdicts of 60 Zionist leaders sentenced to from four to 20 years’ imprisonment on several different charges, it was reported here today from Bucharest. The High Court ordered new trials for the Zionist leaders on the basis of a new indictment.
The charges which were dismissed by the Supreme Court included: “delivering reports to the Israel Embassy, secret meetings, and distributing money received from the Israel Embassy.”
Rumanian sources say that approximately 40 of the Jews are Zionist leaders while the remainder are members of the leftwing Hashomer Hatzair. The trial of the larger group took place in camera and the Zionists received sentences ranging from four to 12 years. It is believed that the authorities intend to reduce drastically the sentence of these Zionists.
(The Tel Aviv evening newspaper Maariv reported today that among the Zionist leaders who have been granted a new trial are: Bernard Rohrlich, chairman of the Rumanian Zionist Federation; Dr. Cornal Jancu, deputy chairman of the General Zionist Federation; Dr. Yakir Aberkahn; Janco Mandelowitz; Dr. The odor Lewinstein, and M. Somerskin, former legal advisor to the Israel legation.)
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