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Swiss Nationals Go on Trial for Informing Israel on Egyptian Firm

May 11, 1964
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Two Swiss nationals went on trial here yesterday on charge of disclosing secret information about a Swiss industrial firn run by an Egyptian, relating to that company’s aid to the German scientists at work in Egypt on armaments for use against Israel.

One of the men, Johann Neeser, Is said to be “of Jewish origin” The other is Wilhelm Naef. They are alleged to have given secret information “to the advantage of the military security authorities of Israel “about Motor Turbines and Pumps, a Zurich firm owned by Hasson Kamil, an Egyptian, which supplies parts for the Egyptian fighter program directed by German scientist, Kamil is also the head of another firm, Meco, which has been reported aiding the work of the German scientists in Egypt.

Mandred Kuhn, counsel for the two accused men, requested the court, at the opening of the trial, that they be acquitted, hinting that, if the trial proceeded, he would be forced to reveal information that could “seriously damage Switzerland’s international relations.” Neeser was arrested by Swiss police last July, after having returned here, following an I attempt to land at Croydon airport, outside London, where he allegedly was to meet an Israeli agent. Later, it was said, Neeser met Israelis in Paris and Milan.

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