ISRAEL: SELF CONFESSED KILLER OF YITZHAK RABIN APPEARS IN COURT

(20 Nov 1995) Hebrew/Nat

The self-confessed killer of Yitzhak Rabin was trained as a guard by Israel's own secret police - according to an Israeli newspaper.

The paper says the gunman - Yigal Amir trained with pistols on the shooting range of the Shin Bet agency and attended lectures on protecting V-I-Ps.

The unconfirmed account came as Amir appeared in Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court where he told journalists that he acted alone.

A respected Israeli newspaper - Yediot Aharanot has reported that the man who allegedly killed Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin had been trained by the country's secret services.

The self-confessed killer - right wing student Yigal Amir - appeared in court in Tel Aviv Monday.

His parents were also present as Amir was remanded in custody for another 11 days.

The newspaper alleges that Amir was trained by the internal security police - the Shin Bet - as a security guard in 1992 before being sent on a government mission to Latvia.

Initial reports said Amir was sent to Riga to teach Hebrew.

However, the newspaper said his real job was to protect the Jewish community in Latvia,

Before he left Amir practiced pistol shooting at the Shin Bet's firing range and went to lectures on protection techniques.

In one lecture he learned that the easiest time to attack someone was when they were arriving or leaving an event.

Rabin was killed as he left a rally.

Israeli police have announced the arrest of another suspect in the killing.

This brings the total number of people held to eight.

However Amir told journalists that he acted alone.

SOUNDBITE: (In Hebrew)
"After every terrorist attack there are memorials like the one for Rabin - with candles and stones. Every time the country is filled with them. They were victims of peace, not willingly, but forced victims of peace. What kind of peace is this? This is separation not peace. This time justice was done. I am nobody's messenger. I acted alone"
SUPER CAPTION: Yigal Amir, Alleged Assassin

Earlier this week the head of the Shin Bet told a commission of inquiry that Amir was a "lone assassin" who communicated "only with God".

However, more and more doubt is being cast on this explanation.

The Shin Bet's shame over its failure to protect Rabin will get worse if it is confirmed that the agency unwittingly helped the Prime Minister's assassin.

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