APRIL 11, 1961

Adolf Eichmann was one of the key Nazi officials in the implementation of the murder of millions of European Jews - the so-called “final solution”.

Charged with managing and facilitating the mass deportation of Jews to ghettos and concentration camps in German-occupied countries, he was among the major organisers of the Holocaust.

Despite being arrested immediately after the war by the US authorities, Eichmann managed to escape using false identity papers and fled to Argentina.

He was later joined by his family, and lived quietly in Beunos Aires, calling himself Ricardo Klement and working at a Mercedes-Benz factory there.

Tipped off about Eichmann’s whereabouts, Israel decided to capture him and bring him back to Jerusalem for trial.

But because Argentina had a history of denying extradition requests, it was decided to kidnap him.

Agents from the Mossad – Israel’s secret service – seized Eichmann outside his home in May 1960 and he was smuggled back to Israel, where the law allowed the prosecution of those responsible for crimes against Jews during the Second World War.

The kidnapping provoked an international incident, with Argentina complaining to the United Nations Security Council.

The Eichmann trial, held before a special tribunal of the Jerusalem District Court, began on April 11, 1961 and increased international awareness of the Holocaust.

The proceedings were