The West German government lodged an official protest with Israel yesterday for failing to inform Bonn authorities that it was holding two suspected German terrorists in jail until more than a year after they were arrested. The alleged terrorists, identified as Thomas Reuter, 24, and Brigitte Schulz, 23, were captured in Nairobi, Kenya in January, 1976 in connection with a plot to blow up an El Al plane at Nairobi airport. Three Arabs are also being held by Israeli authorities on the same charges.
A Foreign Ministry spokesman said yesterday that his government was not informed by Israel of the arrests of the two German nationals until March 15, two weeks ago. He said an “emphatic protest” was delivered to the Israeli Foreign Ministry following an announcement in Jerusalem yesterday that the suspects would be tried by a military court. A government spokesman said West Germany reserved the right to “take the necessary steps” in connection with the arrests, but he did not elaborate.
ISRAEL FIRM ON TRYING TERRORISTS
(The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement in Jerusalem declaring that Israel stands firm on its decision to try the terrorists who are charged with planning an attack on an Israeli airliner in Nairobi “with more than 100 innocent passengers aboard.” The statement acknowledged receipt of the West German protest and said, “Israel notes with regret that the international community has till now failed to find a satisfactory way to fight against Palestinian terrorist organizations and those who help them.” It added that “Israel stands in the front line in this anti-terror war and will continue to defend its air routes as it has in the past.”)
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