The French judicial system officially initiated its investigation into the death of historic Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat, German state-radio website reported. The late Palestinian leader became ill in the fall of 2004 in Ramallah and was transferred to a hospital south of Paris. Arafat died in November 2004 shortly after being hospitalized. Al-Jazeera TV recently aired a report about the possibility of Arafat being poisoned by plutonium.
A nuclear physics research institute in a Swiss university examined Arafat’s belongings and clothes, finding a significant amount of radioactive substances that can be the cause of his poisoning. The clinic officials announced their readiness to conduct an autopsy on Arafat’s body.
Reports indicate following the French judicial ruling and the Swiss lab announcing its readiness, the Palestinian Authority’s agreement will pave the grounds for an autopsy.