Israelis claim for Munich killings

PARIS (AFP) - Relatives of the Israeli victims of the 1972 Munich Olympic terrorist attack have put in a claim for dollars 40m ( pounds 26m) in compensation, according to a source at the International Olympic Committee. 'We have received a letter informing us of the legal proceedings,' the source said.

The action was understood to have been brought after the recent capture by French authorities of Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, known as Carlos the Jackal, who has been linked to the attack.

The claim was being made against Bavarian state authorities and the Munich city council. Eleven Israelis and five terrorists were killed when gunmen from the Palestinian Black September group attacked the Munich Olympic village. Two Israeli team members were shot dead when terrorists broke into their flat and the other nine died in the airport battle with German police.