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A 93-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with 300,000 counts of accessory to murder for serving as an SS guard at the Nazis’ Auschwitz death camp, German prosecutors have said.
Oskar Groening is accused of helping operate the death camp in occupied Poland between May and June 1944.
In that period, some 425,000 Jews from Hungary were brought there and at least 300,000 almost immediately gassed to death.
In his job dealing with the belongings stolen from camp victims, prosecutors said that, among other things, he was charged with helping collect and tally money that was found.
“He helped the Nazi regime benefit economically, and supported the systematic killings,” state prosecutors in the city of Hannover said in a statement.
Groening’s lawyer, Hans Holtermann, declined to comment on the charges.
Groening himself has openly talked about his time as a guard and said while he witnessed horrific atrocities, he didn’t commit any crimes himself.
In 2005, he told Der Spiegel magazine he recalled one incident on “ramp duty” when he heard a baby crying.
I saw another SS soldier grab the baby by the legs…
He smashed the baby’s head against the iron side of a truck until it was silent.
Groening, who lives in the Hannover area, is one of some 30 former Auschwitz guards recommended for investigation last year under a new precedent in German law.
Groening is the fourth case investigated by Hannover — two have been shelved because the suspects have been deemed unfit for trial, and one was closed when the suspect died.
Holtermann said, however, that his client is in good health.
Thomas Walther, who represents 20 Auschwitz victims and their families as co-plaintiffs in the case against Groening, said it’s their last chance “to participate in bringing justice to one of the SS men who had a part in the murder of their closest relatives.”
Many of the co-plaintiffs are among the last survivors of Auschwitz.
Contains reporting from the Associated Press.
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The greatest inadvertant mistake the founders of the USA made. They put that in to defend themselves in shakier times but it has been so badly baztardized that gobsheens like Trump and NRA lobbyists hold huge sway now with no end in sight either.
Actually they got it pretty OK all things considered. The bit the NRA like to leave out is the “organised militia” part. You can expect to pull their heads in though now that videos of the like of The Black Panthers are doing the rounds showing them brandishing long rifles with large capacity clips. That sort of thing scares the bejesus out of your average white republican.
Around 80 Americans die per day from gun violance, I wouldn’t exactly describe thst factt as getting it right. If IS could kill 80 Americans per day they would be pretty happy but when Americans kill 80 Americans daily with guns it’s seen as a constitutional right. Some right.
What a clever country. Do they really think that two groups opposing each other who are legally armed is a good idea. A Mexican stand-off I think it’s called.
Guns and angry people don’t mix…and they don’t even have to hide the fact that they have guns..Clever Country indeed.
Will Trump allow the Mexicans in for the standoff?
i think a mexican standoff is where there are three armed participants, or so i recall from the good the bad and the ugly
Correct, although my point of reference is Reservoir Dogs” (no *actual* Mexicans as far as I’m aware)
Technically a Mexican Stand off is where neither party can walk away without incurring injury. Traditionally it’s three parties but it can be two..
thanks Paddy, that does make sense, ill still picture clint, that rather grubby looking chap and the other one i cant remember though
Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef….
When you preach politics of hate and fear you reap what you sow. Does anyone think this is the way forward?
how could i forget lee van cleef. im hanging my head
Ohios laws state that open carry is OK so why won’t Trump allow Americans their constitional rights in the arena itself. Is this the start of his clampdown on American rights and wouldn’t he be safer if everyone is allowed to be armed inside in case of an attack.
If Democrat protesters behave themselves there’ll be no need for guns.
Otherwise it could end up like the OK Corral….and my money’s on the Trump Gang.
You sir, are a g0bshite!
Aoife, because it is the secret service that made the decision. They are kind of sensitive about firearms around US presidents, elected representatives and presumptive presidential Nominees
@Osine.
And you sir are an annoyance.
A guy in the crowd pulls out a gun, is he a good guy about to stop a bad guy you can’t see, or a bad guy? Do tell.
I don’t believe that. I reckon it’s an attempt by the government to roll back on the 2nd amendment. Really or just shows the hypocritical nature of a Trump campaign, he says that more guns are needed but just not when he’s around.
It has been the case at every party convention since the early 80′s
Wayne doesn’t matter. Trump says he’ll make America great again and I presume that includes allowing open carry and stopping govt interference in citizens affairs. He should allow all the conventions to have guns and if republicans are armed it’ll stop any crazy democratic party people.
Presidential security is the job of the secret service, the president does not get to over ride them. If he did they would not be able to do their job
Open carry doesnt allow people to pull a gun pn someone. Its there to negate violence.
very low on grey matter
Leftists want to stage a peaceful protest? Lol we’ll wait.
lol
These gun totin right wing NRA crazies are the US version of ISIS. The sad part is so many people in the US see no wrong in their almost mediaeval gun laws.
Hilary Clinton is a gun totin political hawk of the highest order yet seemingly Democrats have no problem votin for her.
Go figure.
Actually lots Of Democrats have major problems with Hilary.
Judging by the belligerent behaviour of leftie Democrats at previous rallies the Republicans have every right to arm themselves.
And defend themselves if necessary.
See comment above.
I did.
And I’m not impressed.
Somehow I don’t think the intent of the comment was to impress
Yes, they have the right to prove once and for all that they are the biggest terrorists of all. The biggest killers of Americans in the world.
“Trump dominated a divisive and unruly primary season, infuriating minority groups, antagonising many people within his own party, and drawing violence to his campaign rallies.”
Democrats have consistently behaved like spoiled kids having tantrums and violently attacking Trump supporters.
And yet people consistently blame the victims of this violence, how about snowflakes take responsibility for their own actions? Even an assassination attempt against him doesn’t seem to have raised any eyebrows.
Trump has shown the liberal monkeys up for what they are.
Trump has shown the world how far a fart in a brown paper bag can go
It’s a bad idea when the government have all the arms and citizens have none…eventually that scenario will end badly too.
Yep. Having an armed populace keeps the government in check!
if you live in the 18th century then yes, yes it does
The Tru(m)pPence Conference!!!!… Special Correspondent Mark Tanner!!
Open carrying of guns at a Trump rally….what could possibly go wrong.
Democrats arrive.
Everyone should point their gun at him in the convention and ask him how he feels.
have your say