Jewish Victims of Nazis in Greece Urged to File Compensation Claims

Former Greek nationals who suffered Nazi persecution were urged today to file compensation claims with the Greek Government, in an announcement issued on behalf of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, by Jacob Blaustein, senior vice-president.

Various categories of Nazi victims from Greece have now become eligible to receive compensation. Mr. Blaustein pointed out, among them former Greek citizens during World War II who lost a spouse, parent, children or grandchildren at Nazi hands, or who themselves suffered imprisonment in Nazi concentration camps, or injuries to health.

Eligibility to compensation is regulated by the terms of a compensation law enacted by the Greek Government. The law, which entered into effect on August 24th, governs the distribution of $28, 750, 000 granted to the Greek Government by the German Federal Government to provide compensation payments to former Nazi victims in Greece who suffered on account of race, religion or opposition to Nazi ideology.

Under the law, thousands of persons now residing in the United States, Israel, western and central Europe and other regions, who were Greek nationals during the Nazi occupation and suffered the types of injuries outlined, have become eligible for compensation.

Former Greek nationals must forward their claims so as to reach the Greek authorities no later than December 1, 1961. Claimants who file after that date will lose their right to compensation. Claims must be filed with the Secretariat of the Tribunal of First Instance, Santa Rosa Street, Athens, Greece, and a certified copy with the Greek Ministry of Finance, 10 Karayorghi Servias Street, Athens.

For the subsequent processing of claims, the services of a lawyer accredited to the Greek courts are indispensable. Additional information on procedures can be obtained from the nearest Greek embassy or consulate, or from the United Restitution Organization, or from specialized lawyers.