2 West German Terrorists Get Life in Prison

Two of the most notorious veterans of the Baader-Meinhof urban guerrilla gang (now known as the Red Army Faction) were sentenced Tuesday to life in prison for a series of terror attacks that included nine murders.

Chief Judge Klaus Knospe concluded a 14-month trial by sentencing Christian Klar, 32, and Brigitte Mohnhaupt, 35, to five life prison terms each plus 15 years. They had been found guilty earlier on numerous charges of murder and attempted murder.

Under West German law, both probably will have to serve 30 years in prison before being considered for parole. Defense attorneys said they will appeal the sentences.

Knospe said Mohnhaupt masterminded the gang’s spectacular “1977 offensive” that included:

--The daylight kidnaping and execution of Hanns-Martin Schleyer, president of the German employers’ federation. Four of Schleyer’s bodyguards were also killed.

--The assassination of West German Atty. Gen. Siegfried Buback and two companions in which Klar probably drove the getaway car.

--The slaying near Frankfurt of prominent banker Juergen Ponto, in which Mohnhaupt fired five shots.

Attempt to Kill U.S. General

The court found that both terrorists also were involved with the attempted assassination of U.S. Army Gen. Frederick J. Kroesen in September, 1981, in Heidelberg, and the abortive August, 1977, rocket attack on the headquarters of West Germany’s chief prosecutor.