Pat Dollard

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by John Caniglia – (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

German investigators say they have enough evidence to seek extradition and charge John Demjanjuk with taking part in the deaths of 29,000 Jews at the Sobibor death camp in 1943, according to a report released today.

The report says authorities, for the first time, have transport lists that have the names and ages of the victims who were taken to the death camp in Nazi-occupied Poland and killed within a few days. The oldest killed was a 99-year-old man from the Netherlands, while several infants and toddlers died with their parents.

Investigators said Demjanjuk “is by all means guilty of being an accessory to a vicious murder of at least 29,000 European Jews.” The report will go to the nation’s top prosecutors to determine whether Demjanjuk stands trial in Germany. It is unclear when a decision will be made.

Der Spiegel, a German publication, called the investigators’ work “a spectacular coup” that offers new evidence into a legal case that has crawled through countless courtrooms for 31 years.

A U.S. immigration judge ordered Demjanjuk removed from the country in 2005 because he concealed his wartime past. But no nation has offered to accept him, allowing him to remain in his Seven Hills home.

U.S. judges have ruled that Demjanjuk, who was born in Ukraine, worked as a Nazi guard at three camps, including Sobibor. He and his family have denied the allegations, claiming he is a victim of mistaken identity.

“The United States has a strong interest in getting rid of Demjanjuk,” Schrimm told Der Spiegel. “Ukraine and other states do not want him. This is a big opportunity for Demjanjuk to answer for his atrocities.”

German prosecutors must decide whether to seek to extradite Demjanjuk, though it is unclear when that decision will be. Germany would be able to prosecute the 88-year-old Demjanjuk because about 1,900 of those who died at Sobibor were German Jews.

Demjanjuk’s attorney, John Broadley, said he has not seen the report or any evidence to support it. But he stressed Demjanjuk is ill and frail, suffering from a variety of health concerns. Demjanjuk’s family has stressed that he suffers from a blood disorder, and he is in no shape to travel or go to court.

Previous background: Germany seeks extradition of accused Nazi guard