Yitzhak Arad - Suspected of War Crimes

Suspected of War Crimes

In June 2007, Lithuania asked Israel to question Arad on suspicions of war crimes. The chief prosecutor of Lithuania suspected that Arad had served in the NKVD and had been involved in executions of Lithuanian civilians and members of the anti-Soviet resistance movement in 1943-1944. Israel refused the request, and called it "nothing short of outrageous". Arad denied involvement, claiming that the allegations are a vendetta for his having painstakingly listed atrocities committed by Lithuanian collaborators. Nevertheless, Lithuanian prosecutor Rimvydas Valentukevicius told AFP, based on materials made available by the Lithuanian Genocide and Resistance Research Center: "We have many documents, which allow us to think that Arad participated in criminal activities." It should be noted, however, that at that time Arad was 18 years old and, as soon the war ended, emigrated to Palestine. The General Prosecutors office dropped the criminal investigation regarding partisan activities of Arad in September 2008 citing lack of collected evidence as the main cause.

Read more about this topic:  Yitzhak Arad

Famous quotes containing the words suspected of, suspected, war and/or crimes:

    We should omit a main attraction in these books, if we said nothing of their humor. Of this indispensable pledge of sanity, without some leaven of which the abstruse thinker may justly be suspected of mysticism, fanaticism, or insanity, there is a superabundance in Carlyle.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    It is remarkable how many creatures live wild and free though secret in the woods, and still sustain themselves in the neighborhood of towns, suspected by hunters only.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Another danger is imminent: A contested result. And we have no such means for its decision as ought to be provided by law. This must be attended to hereafter.... If a contest comes now it may lead to a conflict of arms. I can only try to do my duty to my countrymen in that case. I shall let no personal ambition turn me from the path of duty. Bloodshed and civil war must be averted if possible. If forced to fight, I have no fears from lack of courage or firmness.
    Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)

    It may be impossible to have a revolution without crimes but that does not make revolution a crime.
    José Bergamín (1895–1983)