The Austrian Ministry of Justice is preparing to grant amnesty to “minor” ex-functionaries of the Nazi Party in Austria or more important ex-officials who were sentenced to prison terms by People’s Courts during 1945-1948, it was reported today.
Explaining the action, “Das Kleine Volksblatt,” organ of the People’s Party, the government party, said that it is in line with the government’s pledges to “solve” the Nazi problem. It added that it is “impossible” to keep “minor” Nazis in prison in Austria when the “big shots” of the Nazi movement in other countries have already been amnestied and some have been returned to public life.
As soon as the lists of ex-Nazis to be pardoned are drafted, they will be sent to President Theodor Koerner for signature.
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