Abbas Formally Tied to Hijacking

Investigators formally identified Palestine Liberation Front leader Abul Abbas for the first time today as one of 16 people charged in connection with the Achille Lauro hijacking.

Investigating magistrates named Abbas, 37, and several other members of his faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization in a report formalizing the charges, including murder, kidnap and hijacking. State prosecutor Luigi Carli delivered the report to Genoa Chief Public Prosecutor Gennaro Calabrese de Feo, who will study the list and most likely authorize Carli to proceed with issuing indictments. On Monday, five Palestinians were convicted of separate weapons charges in the hijacking. (Story, Page 4.)