Soliah was arrested last month on a federal fugitive warrant that identified her as a member of the SLA

July 1, 1999
Web posted at: 6:42 p.m. EDT (2242 GMT)

In this story: Extradition will be fought, attorney says 25th anniversary of gunbattle RELATED STORIES, SITES

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- California Gov. Gray Davis is sending a "request for requisition" to Minnesota, a procedural step seeking the extradition of an alleged member of the Symbionese Liberation Army who had been on the lam for 23 years, a spokesman said Thursday.

The suspect, identified by authorities as Kathleen Ann Soliah -- but known to her family and friends as Sara Jane Olson, was arrested last month on a federal fugitive warrant that identified her as a member of the SLA who was wanted on charges of plotting to kill Los Angeles police officers by placing explosives under their patrol cars.

Extradition will be fought, attorney says

An extradition hearing has been scheduled for July 15.

At an identity hearing on June 17, attorney Howard Bass said his client would fight extradition.

"At this time there's no evidence that leads us to believe that Sara Olson is the person that California wanted extradited," Bass said on the day of that hearing.

The FBI says the fingerprints of Soliah match those of Olson.

25th anniversary of gunbattle

Her arrest came shortly after the airing of an episode of "America's Most Wanted" marking the 25-year anniversary of a fiery shoot-out between the Los Angeles Police Department and the SLA. Six SLA members died in the gunbattle, and the ensuing investigation helped authorities nab newspaper heiress -- turned kidnap victim, turned SLA member -- Patty Hearst.

Soliah attended rallies after the shoot-out, vocally supporting the SLA, which brought her to the attention of law enforcement authorities. At a rally in May 1974, she said, "SLA soldiers, although I know it's not necessary to say, keep fighting. I'm with you, and we are with you."

Little more than a year later -- in August 1975 -- Los Angeles Police discovered explosive devices had been planted under two patrol cars.

About six months later, Soliah was indicted on felony charges including conspiracy to commit murder of police officers and possession of a destructive device or explosive. The bombs never exploded, and no officers were killed.

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