WORLD IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON, D.C. : ‘House Arrest’ of Spy Suspect Ends

An Air Force officer suspected of spying in West Berlin was released from virtual house arrest after 10 weeks of confinement on a Texas air base, the Air Force said in Washington. The investigation of Capt. John Vladimir Hirsch is continuing, but his confinement at Kelly Air Force Base has been relaxed “to avoid creating legal issues over his entitlement to a speedy trial,” the Air Force said. Hirsch will now be allowed to travel off the base. Legal experts said the action indicates the Defense Department is having trouble building a case without revealing sensitive military information.