</s>104-10137-1026 2018 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 C.C.S.S2C.T.SZC-T.T-TARIAN-TAPAN-SEMINATION: LASSIFIED MESSAGE TOTAL COMES ROUTING AND/OR/INITIALS. PERSONALIZATION: SECRET CROUP! (When Filled In) REPRODUCTION OF THIS COPY PROHIBITED ADVANCE COPY ISSUED SLOTTED INDEX: YES NO YES NO 2.2.20.0 CLASSIFY TO FILE NO. PRECEDENCE X-FRE TO FILE No. AT. AT.PER FILLE RIO RET. TO BRANCH DESTROY S.G. ACTION EUR-6X INFO: FILLE RIO RET. NO. DCT DDCI DDP DDP CERF Addf. PILF CAS/DO CITC LONDON 5062 SECRET 08218Z JUN 68 CITE LONDON 5682 SECRET DIRECTOR 8 Jun68 IN 273767 IMMEDIATE DIRECTOR REF: LONDON 5601(1/273602) * Initial details of Ray's arrest. 1. FURTHER ON REF, UNDERSTAND FROM LOCAL FBI REPS REF. RE. USES ADMIT ANYTHING, AS OF 2008 HOURS 8 JUNE LOCAL FBI HAD NOT INTERVIEWED RAY, HAD NO IMMEDIATIE PLANS DO SO. HOWEVER, EVENING JUNE FBI REP'S PLAN GO SCOTLAND YARD TO EXAMINE RAY'S PERSONAL EFFECTS. 2. BELIEVE BRITISH SPECIAL BRANCH OFFICER AT AIRPORT EUNE RECOGNIZED: RAY FROM PHOTOS FBI HAD FURNISHED. 3. FBI HERE APPARENTLY BELIEVES BAY HAS BEEN "FLOATING AROUND EUROPE" SINCE ARRIVAL FROM TORONTO 7 MAY. FSI HAD BEEN TRYING FOLLOW UP EARLIER LEAD RAY HAD TRYING ARRANGE GET TO RHODESIA IN HOPES SMITH REGIME WOULD NOT LOOK ANGRILY AT MAN. WHO SHOT NEGRO. SECRET BT

Summary  
The document contains classified communications from June 1968 regarding the arrest and surveillance of James Earl Ray, a suspect in the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. It notes that as of June 8, 1968, local FBI representatives had not yet interviewed Ray but planned to examine his personal effects with assistance from Scotland Yard. British Special Branch officers at an airport recognized Ray from FBI-provided photographs. The text indicates Ray had been traveling in Europe since May 7, 1968, and was attempting to reach Rhodesia under the Smith regime, seeking protection due to his alleged involvement in shooting a Black individual. References include FBI case numbers and correspondence with London-based agencies.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (suspect)  
- FBI agents (local and headquarters)  
- British Special Branch officers  
- Scotland Yard representatives  

Key Locations  
- Europe (specific location unspecified)  
- Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)  
- United Kingdom (London)  

Key Events  
- Planning to examine Ray’s personal effects  
- Recognition of Ray by British authorities  
- Attempt to travel to Rhodesia under the Smith regime  
- FBI surveillance and investigation activities  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- British Special Branch  
- Scotland Yard  
- United States Department of Justice (implied via FBI references)

MLK Declassified Files

00549111_cable_on_the_initial_deta_104-10137-10226.pdf

Document Summary

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