Defense counsel for former SS officer Gerhard Bohne, whose extradition is being sought by the West German government for his participation in Hitler’s “euthanasia” program, claimed here yesterday that Bohne is wanted for “simple homicide” and not for what he termed a “qualified” crime. According to German law the statute of limitations on “simple” homicide runs out after 10 years.
Bohne jumped bail and fled Germany a year ago, to escape trial on charges of being chiefly responsible for the infamous “euthanasia” program, in which 200,000 persons, mostly Jews, were murdered through “mercy killing” injections. He was arrested at the home of his sister here last March and, at that time Argentine President Arturo Illia agreed to extradite the Nazi to stand trial in West Germany.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
