A court in Germany has sentenced Johannes Weinrich -- a key associate of the man known as Carlos the Jackal --- to life in prison.

Mr Weinrich was convicted on one count of murder and five of attempted murder for his part in the bombing of a French cultural centre in Berlin in 1983.

One person was killed in the attack and twenty-three others injured.

During the trial the prosecution said he organised the attack as an act of revenge for the imprisonment by France of Carlos' girlfriend.

The BBC Berlin correspondent says Mr. Weinrich remained impassive and appeared to be taking notes as the verdict was read out.

The defence has said it will appeal against the decision. The court also convicted a former Syrian diplomat, Nabil Shritah, of being an accessory to the attack.

He was given a two-year suspended sentence.

Carlos himself is serving a life sentence in France on three convictions for murder.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service