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Demjanjuk Fit to Stand Trial, Germany Rules

Accused Nazi death-camp guard, 89, is officially stateless

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 3, 2009 8:55 AM CDT

(Newser) – John Demjanjuk is physically able to stand trial for his alleged role as an accessory to murder in a Nazi death camp, German officials ruled today. The family of the retired Ohio autoworker, 89, had said ill health made him unfit, but the only condition doctors imposed was a limit of two 90-minute court sessions per day. Demjanjuk, who was deported from the US in May and stripped of his citizenship, is officially stateless, Deutsche Welle reports.

In this 2005 file photo, John Demjanjuk arrives at the federal building in Cleveland.
In this 2005 file photo, John Demjanjuk arrives at the federal building in Cleveland.   (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, file)
In this 2006 file photo, John Demjanjuk is questioned by his attorney in Cleveland. The alleged Nazi death camp guard is fit to stand trial, officials in Germany, where is is imprisoned, said today.
In this 2006 file photo, John Demjanjuk is questioned by his attorney in Cleveland. The alleged Nazi death camp guard is fit to stand trial, officials in Germany, where is is imprisoned, said today.   (AP Photo/Plain Dealer, C.H. Pete Copeland, File)
In this April 14, 2009, file picture, John Demjanjuk, second from right, is taken from his home in Seven Hills, Ohio, by US immigration agents.
In this April 14, 2009, file picture, John Demjanjuk, second from right, is taken from his home in Seven Hills, Ohio, by US immigration agents.   (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Mad
Jul 3, 2009 10:09 AM CDT
Completely correct. The crimes that he was ordered to carry out (vs conspired alone to commit) are all over 65 years ago. Has he not lived his life quietly honorably in the 2/3rds of a century since? Leave the old man alone. Damn
2-bits
Jul 3, 2009 6:56 AM CDT
I don't care what he did, the whole thing is stupid. So much time has passed, I have to ask what justice is being done? Especially considering that no one is accusing him of actually harming anyone. All they are doing is making an old man and his family suffer. He'd probably dies within a couple years without your meddling.

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