Joseph Schutz, previously identified only by his name ‘Joseph S.’, is a former Nazi SS Guard and oldest defendant. in the prosecution of a Jewish concentration camp guard during World War II
Just days ago, Schutz, 101, had to go to court to face trial and sentence on allegations that He was an accomplice in a Jewish mass murder case. While working as a prison guard at the Sachsenhausen concentration camp in Oranienburg, which is north of Berlin Germany between 1942-1945
Judge Udo Lechtermann of the City Court of Noiruppin The State of Brandenburg found Schutz guilty of the charges.
Schutz, who often uses files to hide his face during hearings and during camera appearances. Claims that he is innocent He had never committed a crime and had never known a horrific murder had taken place in the concentration camp he was attending.
But state prosecutors said Schutz knew and intended to join the massacre of 3,518 inmates in the camp. therefore demanded that he be sentenced to five years in prison.
During the trial, which began in October last year, Schutz testified that he worked as an employee on a farm in Pasewalk. northeast of the country during the killing of prisoners in which he became the accused
However, the court found evidence proving that he had actually worked in concentration camps from 1942 to 1945 and was also a member of the Nazi party. civil affairs unit At that time he was 21 years old.
The court sentenced him to five years in prison, as proposed by prosecutors. but because of his age and poor health It is possible that he may not actually have to serve in prison.
Prosecutors charged Schutz with reference to documents about the Nazi SS unit bearing his name. Including the date of birth and place of birth is on the unit’s roster. along with several other documents.
Schutz’s trial lasted several months. This was partly due to the health of the centuries-old former guard. unfavorable He was able to attend the hearing for only two and a half hours a day, and had to postpone the trial several times. when he fell ill or had health problems
Even though the case has already been decided But Schutz’s lawyer confirmed that before hearing the verdict. If the court decides that his client is really guilty will have to file an appeal
The Sachsenhausen concentration camp was established in 1936 just north of Berlin. It was the new concentration camp and the first that Adolf Hitler had given full command to the SS division, which it was known as. ‘Nazi destroyers’ in the management of the camp system.
More than 200,000 prisoners were held at the camps between 1936 and 1945. Of these, Tens of thousands of prisoners died for various reasons. since fasting abused by labor In addition, prisoners were also taken for medical trials and used as victims to practice SS killing tactics such as target shooting, hanging and fumigation.
No one could confirm the true number of the deceased. with an estimate of the maximum number of 100,000 people, but from researching academic evidence It is assumed that the real number is between 40,000-50,000 people
The verdict in this case of Schutz was in accordance with the project to prosecute those involved. or providing assistance in the operation of the Jewish concentration camps for all As far as I can find and still alive on charges of conspiracy to commit mass murder in a concentration camp
Sachsenhausen Camp It was liberated in April 1945 by Soviet troops. and after The camp area was used as a prison and a concentration camp of its own.
Source: aljazeera.com
Image credit: Getty Images.