Press Information published by the International Auschwitz Committee
14.05.2017
Auschwitz trial against Zafke in Neubrandenburg: “ominous relic of 1950s German jurisdiction”
In the trial against the former SS medic Hubert Zafke, the regional court in Neubrandenburg is continuing to pursue its biased attitude during proceedings in favour of the accused. The court has now announced, without previously informing the state prosecution or the joint plaintiffs, that according to a medical expertise that took five months to produce, the defendant has partial dementia and is thus incapable of contesting the proceedings.
During a visit at the Auschwitz Memorial the Executive Vice-President of the International Auschwitz Committee, Christoph Heubner, commented:
"The regional court in Neubrandenburg has from the very beginning demonstrated a hard-line crusading attitude in its efforts to thwart these proceedings and make them impossible. This court was neither willing nor able to acknowledge the interests and the memories of the Auschwitz survivors or to display any sensitivity and openness towards them. As a result, the court reacted and is still reacting like an ominous relic of 1950s German jurisdiction with its scandalous attitude of resistance towards the legal prosecution of the Auschwitz crimes."
For further Information
Christoph Heubner
Executive Vice President
International Auschwitz Committee
Phone ++ 49 (0)30 26 39 26 81