The (possible) Nazi on his deathbed
A World War II-era military service passport for John Demjanjuk, who is accused of being a Nazi prison guard.
(U.S. Department of Justice/Getty Images)
It has been over sixty years since the end of the Third Reich’s reign of terror over Europe and the Nuremberg Trials that followed. Yet the hunt still continues for the long-lost Nazi war criminals. So when alleged Nazi prison guard John Demjanjuk was found in a small American town, there was a thrill of victory for some and shivers for others. But despite what Mr. Demjanjuk may be guilty of, he is a sickly 89-year-old man. And for that he was given a stay of deportation Tuesday, just hours after immigration agents physically carried him in his wheelchair out of his house. Demjanjuk awaits a war crime trial in Germany. His family and lawyer said that he is so sick, a trip could kill him.
For more on this story The Takeaway is joined by David Marwell, Director of the Museum of Jewish Heritage. David followed Demjanjuk’s deportation and trial in Israel over twenty years ago. We are also joined by Jonathan Silvers who is finishing up his new documentary, Elusive Justice, about the search for and prosecution of Nazi war criminals.
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