The trial of Nathan Friedmen-Yellin, Sternist chief and his deputy, M. Shmulevits, continued in the Acre military court today with the defendants pleading not guilty to charges of directing terrorist activities and membership in a terrorist organization from Sept. 29, 1948 on.
The prosecution began to outline the case, saying that the activities of the Stern Group had not ceased with the formation of Israel but it had continued its subversive activities. It had failed to disband, as proved by documents, arms and money which were found in Yellin’s flat. Forged documents were also found in Yellin’s flat, indicating that he and his co-defendant planned to escape abroad, the prosecution charged.
The prosecutor compared the Stern Group’s activities to the Japanese just before Pearl Harbor. The Sternists, he said, were negotiating with the Israeli Government at the same time that their actions in Jerusalem amounted to a stab in the government’s back. he charged the Stern Group with responsibility in the murder of Bernadotte and said that the count was in Palestine under protection of the Israeli Government.
Policemen, soldiered and the landlord of Yellin’s flat testified about his arrest. The policemen and soldiers told of finding arms and other material in his apartment.
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