"Casablanca": Why can't the Germans just arrest Laszlo?

[scoots]

From this thread:

"Casablanca" question: Victor Lazlo vs. German major

@RealityChuck

The answer is covered amply in the screenplay.

1. Major Strasser has no official powers in Casablanca.

2. Captain Renaud is willing to cooperate with the Germans. He is also willing to arrest Lazlo – if Lazlo breaks the law. Since Casablanca is independent of Nazi Germany, though, Renaud has to be able to charge Lazlo with something.

3. When Strasser tells him to shut down Rick’s (note – it’s not technically an order), Renaud is willing to go along because he does have a reason and because he wants to cooperate. Shutting it down is also within his powers, whereas arresting Lazlo would only put Lazlo in front of a judge who could release him.

An interesting point – if Strasser had bribed Renaud to arrest Lazlo, it probably would have happened.