PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY: Execution Held in Arafat's Compound

In Ramallah, a Palestinian firing squad on Wednesday executed a convicted killer and rapist in the courtyard of Yasser Arafat 's compound.

 The execution took place as Palestinian Cabinet ministers were arriving for a meeting. Reporters covering the Cabinet session heard the burst of gunshots.

 Bashir Atari, 26, was sentenced to death in a 1-day trial Sunday for raping his grandmother and killing 2 elderly women. Ramallah Police Chief Mohammed Salah said Atari was mentally ill.

 Atari had been held in a jail in Arafat's compound, but escaped in June when Israeli forces entered the Palestinian leader's headquarters. He was captured 2 weeks ago near his home village of Atara.

 On Wednesday, Atari was brought into the compound in a car, his hands tied behind his back. He was allowed to speak with a Muslim cleric before being led to the courtyard and blindfolded, a security guard said.

 The execution was carried out by 3 security officials in civilian clothing, the guard said. Reporters were not allowed to watch the execution, but heard about 10 gunshots.

 A security official said the execution was coordinated with Israeli forces now controlling Ramallah. Israeli tanks surrounded the compound at the time.

7 ago 2002