Bell Returns, Irate He Can’t See Hasenfus

Former U.S. Atty. Gen. Griffin Bell, who is trying to defend a captured American mercenary before a Nicaraguan tribunal, complained bitterly today that he could not see his client.

“It was terrible--immoral,” Bell said of the Sandinista government’s refusal to let him meet with Eugene Hasenfus, who was captured after Nicaraguan troops shot down a plane carrying supplies for the contra rebels.

“I’m at very much of a hardship” in defending the case, said Bell, who returned to prepare defense documents for Hasenfus and plans to return Sunday to Nicaragua.

He stopped at Miami International Airport en route to Atlanta, where his law office is located.

Terrorism Charge

Hasenfus, 45, was charged with terrorism, violating public security and conspiracy when he was captured Oct. 6 after government soldiers shot down the C-123 transport plane in which he was a passenger. Three others in the plane died in the crash.

The Nicaraguan government has tried to portray Bell as a representative of the United States at the trial, but the former attorney general insisted that he was only representing Hasenfus and his family.

Asked if Hasenfus was guilty, Bell replied: “He’s guilty of something. He was just a little man who needed a job.”

Bell also said he did not know if Hasenfus, a former Marine from Marinette, Wis., was working for the CIA.

“I believe he doesn’t even know if he was working for the CIA,” he said.

Needs to See Client

Asked if he would request help from the U.S. government, Bell again complained he had not been able to speak to his client.

“I don’t know what to ask our government to do” without first consulting with his client, Bell said.

The defense strategy will be to narrow the charges against Hasenfus, who faces up to 30 years in prison, he said.

Bell noted that Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega has repeatedly referred to Hasenfus as a minor character and may be inclined to grant leniency to the American.

Hasenfus’ local lawyer, an opposition member of the National Assembly of Nicaragua, is doing a good job, Bell said.