Would-be papal assassin could be free in January
December 22, 2009
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Mehmet Ali Agca, who shot and wounded Pope John Paul II in an assassination attempt in May 1981, will be released from a Turkish prison in January, his lawyer has announced.
Agca, who was convicted of the assault, was imprisoned in Italy until 2000, when—in accordance with a call for amnesty by Pope John Paul II himself—we was granted a pardon for that crime. He was then handed over to authorities in Turkey, to continue serving a sentence for a previous killing there. He will be eligible for release on January 18.
Agca, who has a history of making sensational public statements, generated headlines earlier this year by announcing that he wanted to become a Catholic.
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Further information:
- Pope's would-be assassin set to be freed (AFP)
- Agca's lawyer confirms: papal assailant wants to become Catholic (CWN, 5/15)
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