A Lod military tribunal imposed a life sentence today on Mouhammed Halil Alian, 21, an East Jerusalem Arab who headed a terrorist cell responsible for bombings and attempted bombings in the Jerusalem area. Alian was convicted of possessing fire arms and explosives. Three other members of his gang each received four-year prison terms for membership in a hostile organization.
The prosecutor expressed regret that the death sentence could not be imposed on Alian because government policy precludes capital punishment. He said the supreme penalty was warranted in Alian’s case. His group, part of the Popular Struggle Front, was responsible for a Jerusalem bus bombing that injured 12 persons. They planted three other bombs in Jerusalem streets and in a bus, all of which were detected and dismantled before they exploded.
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