COMMUNISTS RAID GAOL

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1928, Page 9

COMMUNISTS RAID GAOL

SWEETHEART PLANS ESCAPE ’ ARRESTED GERMAN RELEASED. Writer charged with treason Bs Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received April 12, 9.15 p.m. Service. Berlin, April 12. Eight heavily armed Communists stormed the police station in the Moabit quarter. Truncheoning two resisting officers, they liberated the writer Otto Braun, who was under arrest on a charge of high treason. The raiders escaped ly motor, except one, who refused to give any information.

Braun’s fiancee, Olga Benario, planned his escape. Olga is the daughter of a Munich lawyer, who left home in 1926 .to follow Communist ideals. She was recently employed by the Russian .Trade Delegation, but was discharged last week. She was permitted to see Braun for a few minutes daily and bring him newspapers, food and flowers. ,The interviews always took place in the judge’s room under the judge’s eyes. The escape was fixed for Braun’s last appearance at the Moabit Chart, as the .preparatory evidence was completed pending his removal for trial at Leip-

zig. Braun and five others are charged with revolutionary schemes, with being in possession of incriminating literature and spreading disaffection in the Reichswehr and navy. The raiders stormed the office and held revolvers at the judge’s and the warders’ heads while Braun and Olga Red. Hundreds were present in the sour* and witnessed the incident.