An indictment was returned today in Tel Aviv district court against four Israelis arrested in connection with a bizarre international plot to blow up a bridge in Zambia in an alleged bid to upset world copper prices.
The defendants are Violet Elliott, Israeli-born wife of an American figure in the case, who holds an Austrian passport; Raphael Zorani, Elliott’s brother-in-law; Ephraim Ronen, a former Israeli army officer and intended brother-in-law to Elliott; and Benjamin Edoth, allegedly engaged to carry out the planned bridge sabotage in Zambia, a major producer of copper.
The indictment said that Edoth and other alleged accomplices were to have received $25,000 for the operation. Elliott was indicted in New York federal court on charges of violations of the United States Neutrality Act after Israeli security tipped off United States authorities about the alleged plot. Eight witnesses for the prosecution have been asked to testify at the trial which will take place in Tel Aviv. Date for the trial was not indicated, but it is expected the trial will take place soon.
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