Trial of Alleged Nazi Guard Demjanjuk a Chance for German ‘Redemption’: Financial Times Deutschland
America has extradited alleged Nazi guard John Demjanjuk to stand trial in a Munich court as an accomplice to 27,900 murders. So how do Germans feel about what is likely to be the last great Nazi trial?
Columnist Kathrin Werner, showing little concern for 90-year-old Demjanjuk’s advanced age, writes for the Financial Times Deutschland, in part:
“The trial of alleged concentration camp warden John Demjanjuk is an opportunity for the German state. It can show its citizens that it’s able to come to grips with even historic injustices.
“It was almost too late. The questions of whether and how Holocaust criminals like Demjanjuk should be sentenced threatened to take care of themselves, given the advanced age of the accused. Thus the German state came close to losing a great opportunity: to come to terms with injustice, to establish guilt and to punish. An opportunity for truth. A chance to redeem itself. … The fact that the Munich public prosecutor’s office took this opportunity after all these years deserves unqualified praise. … Murder and complicity to murder don’t fall under the statute of limitations. And there’s no age limit for the punishment of crimes.”
By Kathrin Werner
Translated By Ulf Behncke
July 15, 2009
Germany – Financial Times Deutschland – Original Article (German)
The trial of alleged concentration camp warden John Demjanjuk is an opportunity for the German state. It can show its citizens that it’s able to come to grips with even historic injustices.
The crimes date back more than 65 years and the offender is close to 90: The Munich public prosecutor’s office has finally charged alleged concentration camp guard John Demjanjuk with being an ‘accomplice to murder’ in 27,900 cases. It will be one of the last great Nazi trials.
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2 Responses to “Trial of Alleged Nazi Guard Demjanjuk a Chance for German ‘Redemption’: Financial Times Deutschland”
There seems to be substantial evidence that this guy is not the man they think he is. For one, he denies all of it, but if the Germans want to take care of this old man's healthcare for a show trial then fine. He’ll get more and better care there, than he ever would here.
At some point in time, Germany is going to have to let go of their Nazi past. Every country, including our own, has done its fair share of terrible things. At some point in time you have to distance youself from that generation and move on. Never forget, but move on.
This guy is going to die during the trial. Before his guilt can be proven. I hope the Germans are proud of themselves.