PLEA TO DIE IN U.K.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29878, 19 July 1962, Page 9

PLEA TO DIE IN U.K.

Soblen’s Case

(.VZP A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, July 17. The runaway American Spy, Dr. Robert Soblen. aged 61. who faces a life sentence if he returns home, pleaded today to be allowed to die in England.

Dr Soblen said in an affidavit read before three High Court Judges that he was dying of leukaemia. If he was forced to return to the United States he would only die in prison. “I am approaching the end of my life.” he said. “Mv only w’ish now is to be allowed to stay in England, where I know I can lead my life quietly, or to go to another country of my choice.’’

The Judges adjourned until tomorrow a hearing on an application for his release from Brixton prison, in London. Soblen was allowed to land In Britain for medical -treatment after he stabbed himself in an airliner taking him to the United States from Israel.

Today's application was solely for his release. His counsel today argued that Soblen had been given leave to land in Britain. Therefore the authorities had no right to detain him in prison. On July 1, according to the affidavit, Soblen was forcibly removed from Tel Aviv in a chartered aeroplane. ’’About one hour after the aircraft left Athens I inflicted severe wounds upon myself with a knife,” the affidavit said. "My sole object was to make it necessary for me tn be landed in England. It uras not a case of attempted suicide.”