Moves for the deportation of convicted Nazi war criminal Carl Linnas picked up fresh support on Capital Hill Friday as several Congressman signed a letter to Attorney General Edwin Meese III urging he act immediately.
Meese told the House Judiciary Committee Thursday that Linnas’ deportation was being delayed for 30 days on a plea from Linnas’ lawyer, Ramsey Clark, who is seeking to find a country that will accept him. Linnas, a New York resident, faces deportation to the Soviet Union, where he faces the death penalty.
“I don’t think that’s our responsibility,” said Rep. William Lehman (D. Fla.), who along with Sen. Lawton Chiles (D. Fla.), initiated the letter “I understand Clark’s (point), but we have laws and legislation in this country and we can’t predicate our justice system on someone else’s.”
Lehman said he would consider further action if Meese does not respond to the letter. world” Justice has been delayed and thus denied far too longer,” said Rep. Bill Green (R-N.Y.). “Further delay is inexcusable, this man must be deported for trial.”
Linnas lost his U.S. citizenship five years ago when a federal court found that he had lied about his Estonian past. The Supreme Court has refused to review the case.
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