Written by Standard Foreign News Desk
Evening Standard
April 24, 1971
Former Beatle John Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono, have been ordered to stay on the Mediterranean island of Majorca, following the alleged abduction of Yoko's daughter. The Lennons were allowed to leave the island's police headquarters in Palma early today, after spending 14 hours there.
Investigating magistrate Senor Juan Mari spent the night taking statements from the Lennons and Yoko's former husband, American Anthony Cox. The issue was the custody of seven-year-old Kyoko, the daughter of Yoko and Mr. Cox, who alleged that Kyoko had been kidnapped. Yesterday, he left the police headquarters with the child.
The case must now go to Manacor, 35 miles from Palma, because the alleged abduction took place there. Later court sources at Manacor said Lennon and Yoko must appear in court on the first and 15th of each month until brought to trial. They added that the date of the trial has not yet been fixed.
At their hotel suite this afternoon, the Lennons talked with an English solicitor and a Spanish lawyer. The solicitor who flew to Majorca today was Mr. Andrew White. The Spaniard was Señor Caesar Losano Aldea. Also there was Mr. Peter Howard of Apple.
A spokesman said, "It is much too delicate at the moment to make any statement. John and Yoko are staying in their suite."
One of the problems being discussed was whether the couple would be allowed to leave the island. It is understood that Mr. Cox, a film director, is also not allowed to leave Majorca until the authorities at Manacor decide whether there was an attempt to kidnap the girl.
The Lennons reported to the Palma police station yesterday afternoon. John was carrying little Kyoko. Police sources quoted Lennon as saying, "I took the girl to my hotel because I wanted Yoko to see her daughter."
According to Mr. Cox, Kyoko had disappeared from a playground at a tourist complex. Her father reported that she had been kidnapped by two unknown men.
In fact, according to Lennon, she had been taken by him and his wife to their luxury hotel in Palma. The Lennons revealed that a British Consulate source told the investigating magistrate that they left a lawyer to find Mr. Cox and tell him where Kyoko was. The lawyer could not find the girl's father, and the alarm was raised. As the hours went by at the police station, lawyers representing both Mr. Cox and the Lennons arrived at 2:45am. Mr. Lennon was called before the investigating magistrate for a further statement. Mrs. Lennon told the magistrate her divorce, granted by a court in the Virgin Islands, did not give the custody of the child to either parent. As the legal wranglings went on, a doctor arrived at the police station to treat the child for a high temperature.
The first to leave the Magistrates Court were a beaming Mr. Cox with Kyoko on his back and his present wife, the couple embraced on the courtroom steps. A few minutes later, the Lennons departed. They looked serious and disappointed, said witnesses. The former Beatles Secretary, Mr. John Richter, said police returned Mr. and Mrs. Lennon's passports, which they had earlier withdrawn when they left the magistrate's office.
There was a 'Do Not Disturb' notice on the door of the Lennons' bedroom at the Melia Mallorca hotel this morning. Staff at the hotel said the couple returned rather dejected earlier this morning. Mr. J. G. Joyce, British Vice Consul in Palma, who was at the Palace of Justice with the Lennons, said, "They're very surprised to be accused of abduction. They brought the child to spend the day with them in Palma and buy her a few presents. At the hotel they noticed she had a slight fever and called a doctor. It was then the police arrived."
The Lennons arrived in Spain three days ago. Their private aircraft landed at Madrid airport, but was prevented from continuing to Majorca due to technical trouble.
Mr. Cox and his wife have been in Majorca, attending meditation classes given by the Indian guru. Maharishi.
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