(11 Sep 1996) English/Nat
Yigal Amir, Yitzhak Rabin's assassin, already convicted of murder, was found guilty Wednesday of conspiring to kill the prime minister and attack Palestinians.
The Tel Aviv District Court also convicted Yigal Amir's brother Hagai and friend, Dror Adani on the same charges.
The three each face a maximum of 29 years in prison.
Yigal Amir, already serving a life sentence for the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin could face another 29 years in prison on the conspiracy charge.
He was tried Wednesday at the Tel Aviv District Court.
But he is not facing these charges alone.
Yigal Amir's brother Hagai and a friend, Dror Adani are also accused of the same crimes.
In addition to the charge of plotting to kill Rabin and attack Palestinians, the three men are accused of illegal weapons possession.
Hagai Amir has denied he conspired to kill Rabin.
He told the court he knew of his brother's desire to murder the prime minister in efforts to stop the peace process, but said he disagreed with such methods.
Yigal Amir testified that Hagai had actually suggested ways of killing Rabin.
But Amir said he thought his brother was not serious.
Yigal Amir said Adani was also opposed to killing Rabin for fear it would cause civil strife.
Amir has denied claims by the prosecution that his brother tried to obtain an M-16 rifle from the army to be used in the assassination.
Hagai Amir, a weapons expert, is charged with making the hollow point bullets that were eventually used by his brother in the assassination.
The Amir brothers' father was present in court as was their sister although she shied away from the cameras.
In the court's foyer the defence confirmed that the men had been found guilty.
SOUNDBITE:
"The judges decided today that they are guilty on all three counts. And acquitted Hagai Amir from the fourth count of the indictment."
SUPER CAPTION: Advocate Ben Yehuda - Co council for the defence
The court will hand down the sentences on October 3rd.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
