Petition From Middle East Asks for Sirhan’s Release

A petition signed by educators and government officials in the Middle East has been sent to a parole board to urge the release from prison of convicted assassin Sirhan B. Sirhan, his Los Angeles attorney said Monday.

The lawyer, Luke McKissack, said the petition was the result of two trips he made recently to the Middle East to seek support for Sirhan’s parole.

The petition suggested Sirhan’s release could speed peace in the Middle East.

Sirhan, 46, was convicted of gunning down Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in the pantry of Los Angeles’ Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968, minutes after the New York senator won the Democratic presidential primary in California. Sirhan is serving a life term at Soledad State Prison but has repeatedly petitioned for release.

“In the interest of the peace process, it’s time to let him out,” McKissack said in a telephone interview before leaving for Soledad, where Sirhan has a parole hearing scheduled today.

The petition sent to the Board of Prison Terms is signed by about 40 people, including two men identified as members of Israel’s Knesset as well as the mayor of Bethlehem, members of the Arab Women’s Union and officials of Birzeit University.

“Sirhan Sirhan, as a Palestinian, has suffered much, as have both of the peoples of this land. If peace is ever to come to our land, recognition of the sufferings of both must be given,” the petition says. “Sirhan’s equitable release will give him the chance to contribute to a process that will lead to a just and comprehensive peace in our region.”

Los Angeles County Deputy Dist. Atty. Larry Trapp, who planned to argue for Sirhan’s continued imprisonment at today’s proceeding, said he was surprised at the move by Sirhan’s counsel. He said it could only hurt Sirhan’s chances.

“It would suggest that Sirhan should have some place in making political decisions or influencing political decisions,” Trapp said, noting that Sirhan was convicted of an assassination for political purposes. “He was dangerous because of his political beliefs and he would still be dangerous if released. He sees himself as a political prisoner. I think he has not come to grips with the enormity of his crime.”