The World - News from June 29, 1988

Two Turkish nationals face charges of faking a plot to assassinate Pope John Paul II, the Austrian government said. The two suspects, who have not been identified publicly, were freed after being charged with faking a criminal act, which is not a detainable crime under Austrian law. Police arrested both men two days before the Pope’s arrival in Vienna last week. In an interview with Austrian radio ORF, Interior Minister Karl Blecha said the suspects’ motive was to “receive attention.” He added that media reports of possible ties to Turkish extremist groups “have not been established,” but that extreme caution was taken because of the 1981 assassination attempt against the Pope by a Turk.