John Demjanjuk has been sentenced to five years in prison for his role in the murder of some 28,000 Dutch Jews at the Nazi death camp Sobibor during World War II.
But, after taking into consideration his advanced age and inability to travel, the court decided that Demjanjuk will not actually be jailed.
The Munich court found the 91-year-old guilty of being an accessory to mass murder. The prosecution said there was convincing evidence that Demjanjuk was a guard at the Polish Sobibor camp in 1943. Demjanjuk denied the charge, claiming that, as a Soviet prisoner of war, he was also a victim.
Ukraine-born Demjanjuk, who was once on top of the Nazi-hunting Simon Wiesenthal Center's list of most wanted war criminals, said he was drafted into the Soviet army in 1941 before being taken prisoner by the Germans.
28,000 murders
Some 28,000 Dutch Jews were transported by train between 1942 and 1943 from the Dutch camp Westerbork to Sobibor, where they were gassed and burnt immediately upon arrival. It is estimated that at least 130,000 Jews were killed in Sobibor’s gas chambers (some sources put the number at 250,000), but Demjanjuk was only charged for the death of the Dutch Jews.
The five-year prison sentence is one year less than prosecutors had requested. Demjanjuk’s lawyer, Ulrich Busch, has said they will appeal the verdict. It is not clear whether the Nazi war criminal, whose family says he is very ill, will get credit for the two years he has already served. Demjanjuk was extradited from the US in 2009.
No final word, no response
Demjanjuk attended the 18-month court proceedings in Munich – the birthplace of Hitler’s Nazi movement – in a wheelchair, at times lying down, while his family tried to argue that he was too frail to stand trial.
Today, Demjanjuk listened in a wheelchair while the verdict was being read, without responding, his eyes covered by dark glasses. Earlier this morning, Judge Ralph Alt had asked Demjanjuk if he wanted to say some final words before the verdict was handed down. The former Sobibor guard answered with a terse “Nein”.
Victims welcome guilty verdict
Relatives of the victims - who were co-plaintiffs at the trial - as well as the Simon Wiesenthal Center have welcomed the guilty verdict. “We’re relieved that he has been finally sentenced,” said director Efraim Zuroff in Jerusalem.
Demjanjuk had been exonerated in a separate Holocaust trial two decades ago in Israel, where he was initially sentenced to death for being the notorious "Ivan the Terrible" camp guard at Treblinka in Poland. The ruling was overturned by Israel's supreme court after new evidence exonerated him.
(jn/ae)
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide 2011
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"The Munich court found the 91-year-old guilty of being an accessory to mass murder."...Guys and girls, he was found guilty of being an "accessory". Being an accessory is not the same as being a principal. You can bet in the Nazi, death camps, the actors played both principal and accessory roles. When so much time passes, it is difficult to prove a person like John Demjanjuk was a principal in the mass murders. He was released because the majority of the victims were dead Jews. Who cares about the crimes committed in the 1930's and 1940's and especially if they were committed against Jewish people who were considered anti-social. Why else would he only be given five years and then released to enjoy his final years. Because he was an old man of 91 years. Bunch of bull!
Quote and attack. Rage and roil. No rational discussions allowed when Hiram's around. It's all over folks.
"So when the cat has got your tongue, there's no need for dismay! Just summon up these words: 'No rational discussions allowed when Hiram's around. It's all over folks.' and then you've got a lot to say!"
It's a sad fact that, despite the important things to be discussed on the RNW website, Hiram and people like him are allowed to comment entirely without moderation. The consequence is that considered expression is drowned out and the comments are dominated by some pretty extreme views. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the editor(s), who either will not or can not get involved. So that's it. I'm going. Hiram, you win. As usual, the last, weird word is yours.
"The consequence is that considered expression is drowned out and the comments are dominated by some pretty extreme views."...Thanks, Gerry for the last word. I hope you didn't consider as one of the "considered expression"? You came in like a lion and ready to attack anyone who expressed a view that differed from yours; and, now you want to go out in a whimper. You sound like person that is self-centered and never mentally grew out of childhood. When you stated "Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the editor(s), who either will not or can not get involved. So that's it." You reflected a person who can't take responsibility and who always transfer blame when he/she doesn't get what he or she wants. Grow-up and realise people are different and all don't think like you. P.S. I know "I am rubber and you are glue so whatever you say bounces off me and sticks on you." Be nice, okay.
MORGTAR, no person or government will convict those who you accuse of crimes because might makes right and winners do not put on trial their own people. For example, at the close of the American civil war, the Northern government put to death, by hanging, the officer in charge of Andersonville prison, a Southern prison which housed Northern prisoners, for starving and killing Northern prisoners but did not charge the officer in charge of Point Lookout, a Northern prison in Maryland which housed Southern prisoners, who was just as guilty of the same crimes. MORGTAR, it will never happen. Winners just don't put their leaders on trial. Who is going to arrest them and put them on the dock? John Demjanjuk is just like the Henry Wwirz, the Southern jailor, except he was set free and not executed as he should have been.
Guys, Demjanjuk is guilty of actively participating in the deaths of nearly 29 thousand Jews, many of whom were certainly Dutch. Dutch Jews were behind the class action suit against him in Munich. But he most certainly did NOT kill 29 thousand Dutch Jews. This is a serious inaccuracy that I hope the editor will spot and correct. Good luck.
So many humans died at the hands of John Demjanjuk and he is now free to live his final days in freedom. Justice at it's best in Europe. Help murder thousands and all is forgiven by the Europeans; but, act out in an anti-social manner and one is forced to move to an area specifically designated for miscreants. Justice at it's best!
WHO IS GOING TO SENTENCE OBAMABONGO BUSH AND THE ALL CRIMINALS LEDEARS OF THE WEST FOR THE MILLIONS OF MUSLIMS INNOCENTS CIVILIENS KILLED DURING THE LAST DECADE ALSO JEW REPONSABILITY OF THE 60 YEARS OF HELL CONCERNING THE PALESTINIENS......
If you want to be taken seriously, you should refrain from racist terms like"OBAMABONGO", which is the type of foul behavior that keeps one part of the human race still in the dark ages, like you.
@ Radio Netherlans Worldwide: Please [remove/delete] "MORGTAR 12 May 2011 - 7:52pm / Nederland" for not abiding by the rules to post comments.
Alfonso M, is that how we deal with those who voice their thoughts and opinions? Do we banish them or have them banished by selecting the remove/delete button? Would you have deleted Moliere for his speech? I don't think you would have and I think I know why you responded as you did. Just as you responded with some disgust at Morgtar's response, did you ever think he/she was just as disgusted with those who he sees as oppressors. Why do you think he chose the word "OBAMABONGO"? P.S. There are two or more blokes on this forum who perceive themselves as the "Thought Police" for the Forum. They are the All Seeing Eyes and they are always in a rage and roil over the Thoughts of others. Don't be like those yobs.
What???
So, old age diminishes the level of responsibility. It's a pathetic system and unfair to the victims and their families as well to the World which has carried the consequences of the holocaust up to this very day.
1,825 days in prison
28,000 victims
---------------------
DOESN'T ADD UP
What???
So, old age diminishes the level of responsibility. It's a pathetic system and unfair to the victims and their families as well to the World which has carried the consequences of the holocaust up to this very day.
1,825 days in prison
28,000 victims
---------------------
DOESN'T ADD UP