A highly placed Soviet diplomatic source said here today that Israel’s apprehension and trial of Nazi Gestapo Colonel Adolf Eichmann were morally and legally justified.
In what is believed to be the first authoritative indication of Soviet policy on the Eichmann affair, this source told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that Moscow would be opposed to the extradition of Eichmann to West Germany for trial because of Soviet belief that West German courts might fail to provide a Just solution. The Soviet diplomat said Eichmann’s crimes were such as to necessitate and Justify the extraordinary measures required in his capture.
In the Soviet view, too many high-ranking Nazi war criminals have escaped or avoided effective prosecution, he indicated. The Soviet Union, he stated, had deep differences with Israel over the question of “imperialism” but nevertheless thought Israel lawfully could and should try Eichrnann:.
If Israel decided to waive its right to try Eichmann, however, this source asserted, the Soviet Union would immediately apply for his extradition and bring charges based on his crimes against Soviet citizens, including Jews, committed during World War II.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
