The three Arabs accused of planning to blow up an El Al airliner last Sept. have refused to appear at their trial which opened here today. Currently in an Italian prison, the three men, an Algerian, Iraqian and a Lebanese, said their refusal was an affirmation of their innocence and said they were putting their trust in Italian justice.
The trial went ahead despite the absence of the defendants and it is believed they will be expelled from Italy to avoid possible Arab reprisals. Italian investigators are reported to have found Soviet made SAM-7 rockets in the apartments of the defendants who were arrested last Sept. Two other Arabs were also arrested at the time but later released temporarily and it is believed they have sought refuge in Libya.
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