Dr. Robert Servatius, of Cologne, counsel for Col. Adolf Eichmann, the Nazi who directed the murder of 6, 000, 000 European Jews, will be permitted to talk privately with the accused Gestapo officer, Minister of Justice Pinhas Rosen announced today. He said that reports that Dr. Servatius would not be allowed to talk privately with his client were “based on a misunderstanding.”
Both Dr. Rosen and Minister of Police Behor Shitreet reported to the Israeli Cabinet today about details concerning the trial of Eichmann, scheduled to open here March 15. The Government expects that the trial will be observed by about 350 representatives of the world’s press, radio, television and other news media; 100 observers from foreign diplomatic missions; as well as by jurists and attorneys representing various organizations.
(In Cologne, Dr. Servatius announced today that he would file a legal complaint against the Bonn Government for refusing his request to pay expenses and fees for his defense of Eichmann.)
A side issue touching on the Eichmann case was decided today by Israel’s Supreme Court, which rejected a petition by Israeli television and newsreel photographers who complained that they would be discriminated against in their efforts to cover the trial. They objected to a contract made between the Government Press Office and the Capital Cities Corporation, an American firm, which has been given exclusive rights to film the Eichmann trial. The domestic organizations complained that agreement constituted “discrimination, inequity and favoritism.”
The court ruled that the contract between the Government Press Office and the American firm was valid. However, the Supreme Court pointed out, the contract is not binding upon the court in which Eichmann will be tried. That bench, the Supreme Court ruled, will have the power to determine its own procedures.
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