The Region - News from Jan. 17, 1986

Andrija Artukovic, a Seal Beach resident facing deportation for alleged Nazi activities, has filed a motion in Los Angeles federal court to reopen his extradition proceedings. Yugoslavian officials have charged the 86-year-old Artukovic with war crimes stemming from his service as interior minister of Croatia. The Yugoslavians claim they have evidence to try him for the World War II deaths of 700,000 people. Artukovic’s attorneys mounted an unsuccessful challenge to the May 1 extradition order last fall, when they claimed that Artukovic was mentally incompetent to stand trial. Artukovic has been in federal custody since Nov. 14, 1984. Artukovic’s son, Radislav, says that he has found new evidence, including extensive newspaper clippings from 1942, to prove his father innocent of the crimes. A hearing on the motion to reopen proceedings is set for Feb. 11.