Westerling Gains His Freedom
The newspaper article reports the departure of Raymond "Turko" Westerling from Singapore for England after Indonesia's attempt to extradite him failed. The article explains that the Singapore Supreme Court ruled the Anglo-Netherlands Extradition Treaty did not apply to the newly independent Republic of Indonesia, leading to his release and deportation. It also notes that Westerling had received lucrative offers for his life story and film rights, highlighting the international publicity surrounding his controversial career.
Westerling Gains His Freedom
A.A.P.-Reuter
SINGAPORE, Aug. 21.
Raymond "Turko" Westerling, Dutch ex-commando captain, whose private "Army of the Heavenly Host" occupied the Indonesian city of Bandoeng in a swift attack last January and who later made a secret seaplane escape to Singapore, will leave here booked for England tomorrow.
A Singapore Government spokesman said today that Westerling would board a Qantas-BOAC Constellation bound for London at dawn.
He holds a Dutch passport with entry visas for Belgium and Spain. From London Westerling is expected to go to Brussels.
His departure will mark the end of a long and confused chapter of legal wranglings involving criminal and international law.
Held in Gaol
Westerling had been held in Changi gaol, Singapore, for seven months. He served two short sentences for entering the colony illegally and for assault on an Indonesian cell mate, whose jaw he broke.
Since the expiry of the sentences, he has been held in custody under emergency regulations while courts heard the Indonesian Government's application for his extradition to Indonesia, where he was to be charged with criminal acts.
The case aroused great legal and political interest.
Opposing a statement by the British Foreign Office to the contrary, the Singapore Supreme Court ruled that the Anglo-Netherlands Extradition Treaty of 1898 did not apply to the newly created independent Republic of Indonesia, formerly the Dutch East Indies.
The Singapore Government then ordered the deportation of Westerling in the normal way.
Armed Escort
Westerling will be escorted by armed detectives to the aircraft tomorrow.
Legally, he will be a free man when the aircraft takes off.
Police precautions will be taken against possible demonstrations at the airport.
Westerling's precise plans are unknown. It has been learned that he has received a substantial offer for his life story, with film rights from Hollywood producers and from some London newspapers.
Many members of his Bandoeng army are now part of the Ambon forces still resisting the Indonesian Government for control of Ambon and adjacent islands.
Dr. Zain, the Indonesian Government representative in Singapore, said today that his Government intended to take up extradition treaty matters with the British Government to eliminate legal difficulties such as arose in Westerling's case.