Ex-Nazi camp guard John Demjanjuk, sentenced to five years in prison for aiding the murder of nearly 30,000 Jews, now faces a new probe for another 5,000 deaths, a German newspaper said Saturday.
Prosecutors in Bavaria in southeast Germany opened a new investigation after accusations relating to his activities at a different concentration camp, Flossenbuerg, the Tagesspiegel reported.
It said two complainants are seeking to hold Demjanjuk and another former camp guard responsible for the deaths of 4,974 people at Flossenbuerg between October 1943 and December 1944.
About 100,000 people had been held at Flossenbuerg, near the Czech border, and nearby satellite camps, and more than 73,000 of them died, according to official figures.
Demjanjuk, 91, was sentenced by a Munich court in May to a five-year prison term. He had been in prison before and during his 18-month-long trial.
A judge citing his age released him until the conviction is official, which could take months in Germany, and the Bavarian government placed him in a retirement home.
He was previously expelled from the United States and deprived of his US citizenship for lying about his past to US immigration.
Ukranian-born Demjanjuk was found guilty of helping the Nazis gas some 27,900 Jews while serving as a guard at the Sobibor death camp in German-occupied Poland during World War II.
While there was no direct evidence of his presence or actions at the camp, the court said it believed he had served there as a guard, and was therefore automatically implicated in killings carried out there at the time.
Demjanjuk had denied the charges and has filed an appeal.
The prosecution, which had asked for a six-year prison sentence, has also appealed the court's decision.
Google Hosted News
Sunday, 17 July 2011
Blinded Muslim pleads to save his attacker's life
A Muslim who was shot and blinded by a white supremacist days after the 9/11 attacks is suing the governor of Texas to prevent his assailant from being executed.
Rais Bhuiyan says his rights as a victim were ignored when his attacker, Mark Stroman, was sentenced to death after a shooting spree at a Dallas convenience store that left two of his colleagues dead. Stroman, who claims he went on the rampage "against Arabs" in revenge for the death of his half-sister on September 11, 2001, is due to be executed on Wednesday after his final appeal was denied.
Mr Bhuiyan contends state prosecutors "pushed forward with the death penalty" without consulting him or the families of the other victims as required under the Texas Crime Victims' Bill of Rights.
In a lawsuit filed yesterday, Mr Bhuiyan's lawyers said their client was seeking reconciliation with Stroman "because his parents raised him with the religious principle that he is best who can forgive easily. As a Muslim, plaintiff is of the belief that when he forgives or promotes mercy for his attacker, the government should no longer have a duty or a right to exact the ultimate punishment upon Mr Stroman".
Mr Bhuiyan says that neither he nor the families of the other victims, Waqar Hasan and Vasudev Patel, were informed of their rights under the legislation that Governor Rick Perry championed as a guarantee of justice for the victims of crime.
"Along with families of the other victims in the case, I have been ignored and sidelined, year after year," Mr Bhuiyan said yesterday. "If Governor Perry really means it when he says victims' rights are a priority, we need action rather than hollow words."
Mr Perry, who is expected to announce his presidential bid within weeks, has signed off 232 executions -- more than any other governor in American history. His victims' rights legislation was seen by opponents of the death penalty as an attempt to justify such sentences as providing solace to families of the murdered.
But the Governor reckoned without the mercy of Mr Bhuiyan.
Stroman, a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, said he wanted to kill "foreigners" because they threatened "the American way of life". He admitted shooting the three men of South Asian origin, two of whom were Muslims and one a Hindu.
"I am a human being and made a terrible mistake out of love, grief and anger . . . believe me, I am paying for it every single minute of the day," Stroman said on a website supporting his plea for clemency.
The Australian
Rais Bhuiyan says his rights as a victim were ignored when his attacker, Mark Stroman, was sentenced to death after a shooting spree at a Dallas convenience store that left two of his colleagues dead. Stroman, who claims he went on the rampage "against Arabs" in revenge for the death of his half-sister on September 11, 2001, is due to be executed on Wednesday after his final appeal was denied.
Mr Bhuiyan contends state prosecutors "pushed forward with the death penalty" without consulting him or the families of the other victims as required under the Texas Crime Victims' Bill of Rights.
In a lawsuit filed yesterday, Mr Bhuiyan's lawyers said their client was seeking reconciliation with Stroman "because his parents raised him with the religious principle that he is best who can forgive easily. As a Muslim, plaintiff is of the belief that when he forgives or promotes mercy for his attacker, the government should no longer have a duty or a right to exact the ultimate punishment upon Mr Stroman".
Mr Bhuiyan says that neither he nor the families of the other victims, Waqar Hasan and Vasudev Patel, were informed of their rights under the legislation that Governor Rick Perry championed as a guarantee of justice for the victims of crime.
"Along with families of the other victims in the case, I have been ignored and sidelined, year after year," Mr Bhuiyan said yesterday. "If Governor Perry really means it when he says victims' rights are a priority, we need action rather than hollow words."
Mr Perry, who is expected to announce his presidential bid within weeks, has signed off 232 executions -- more than any other governor in American history. His victims' rights legislation was seen by opponents of the death penalty as an attempt to justify such sentences as providing solace to families of the murdered.
But the Governor reckoned without the mercy of Mr Bhuiyan.
Stroman, a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, said he wanted to kill "foreigners" because they threatened "the American way of life". He admitted shooting the three men of South Asian origin, two of whom were Muslims and one a Hindu.
"I am a human being and made a terrible mistake out of love, grief and anger . . . believe me, I am paying for it every single minute of the day," Stroman said on a website supporting his plea for clemency.
The Australian
Portsmouth EDL march and counter-protests see seven arrests (UK)
Seven people have been arrested at a protest by the English Defence League (EDL) in Portsmouth.
About 500 EDL demonstrators marched through the city while 200 counter-protesters from Unite Against Fascism (UAF) gathered in Guildhall Square.
Up to 400 police, including mounted officers and dog handlers, worked to keep the groups apart during the protests which began about 1300 BST.
EDL supporters tried to enter the square but were stopped by police.
Hampshire police said: "All protesters are now dispersing in Portsmouth and despite some disturbances around Guildhall Walk earlier, police have worked well to keep the groups apart and ensure both protests could happen somewhat peacefully.
"A total of seven arrests have been made and officers are still on patrol across the city."
BBC News
About 500 EDL demonstrators marched through the city while 200 counter-protesters from Unite Against Fascism (UAF) gathered in Guildhall Square.
Up to 400 police, including mounted officers and dog handlers, worked to keep the groups apart during the protests which began about 1300 BST.
EDL supporters tried to enter the square but were stopped by police.
Hampshire police said: "All protesters are now dispersing in Portsmouth and despite some disturbances around Guildhall Walk earlier, police have worked well to keep the groups apart and ensure both protests could happen somewhat peacefully.
"A total of seven arrests have been made and officers are still on patrol across the city."
BBC News
EDL man will do community order alone (UK)
An English Defence League supporter who clashed with Asian men after a protest march cannot carry out his community work as part of a multi-ethnic group, a court heard.
Nathan Hopkins appeared before magistrates in Huntingdon when he was accused of being part of a group of English Defence League (EDL) members who got embroiled in a fight outside the Queen Anne Terrace car park, Cambridge, after a march through the city last Saturday.
One of the Asians was punched in the head repeatedly during the fracas by Hopkins, prosecutor Laura Mardell told the court.
The 18-year-old, of Lombardy Drive, Peterborough, admitted using threatening behaviour and was given a 12-month community order, with 40 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs.
Magistrates requested a report on whether Hopkins would be suitable for community work and the court probation officer said that although he was suitable, the nature of the offence meant he could not take part in the multi-cultural work teams and would have to go on an individual placement.
Ms Mardell said Hopkins told police he had gone to Cambridge with a group of 20 other EDL supporters and he had been a member of the EDL since December 2010, “joining after believing too many extremists were coming into the country”.
Two other EDL supporters also appeared before magistrates charged with public order offences.
Simon Pearson, 28, of Whitehill Road, Abbey, Cambridge, denied using threatening words and behaviour in the area of Christ’s Pieces and his case was adjourned to August 31.
Shaun Hughes, 48, of Wethersfield Road, Colchester, was accused of using threatening behaviour and assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty.
His solicitor, Peter Vialls, told the court that Hughes had “serious mental health issues” and that he would be contacting prosecutors to see if the case could be dealt with in another way.
Hughes was released on bail until August 18 with conditions that he does not attend any EDL rallies or enter Cambridgeshire apart from for court appearances.
Ms Mardell said Hopkins’ case arose when a group of around 10 EDL supporters clashed with a group of Asian men in the Parkside area.
A fight started and police saw Hopkins punching an Asian man in the head three or four times.
Mr Vialls, for Hopkins, said: “The defendant is just 18 and has not been involved in anything like this before.
“He expected to take part in a demonstration and had not intended to do anything unlawful or take part in any violence.”
Mr Vialls said Hopkins blamed the Muslim Defence League for starting abuse. He then became involved in the fight to defend a young friend and regretted what had happened.
Cambridge News
Nathan Hopkins appeared before magistrates in Huntingdon when he was accused of being part of a group of English Defence League (EDL) members who got embroiled in a fight outside the Queen Anne Terrace car park, Cambridge, after a march through the city last Saturday.
One of the Asians was punched in the head repeatedly during the fracas by Hopkins, prosecutor Laura Mardell told the court.
The 18-year-old, of Lombardy Drive, Peterborough, admitted using threatening behaviour and was given a 12-month community order, with 40 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs.
Magistrates requested a report on whether Hopkins would be suitable for community work and the court probation officer said that although he was suitable, the nature of the offence meant he could not take part in the multi-cultural work teams and would have to go on an individual placement.
Ms Mardell said Hopkins told police he had gone to Cambridge with a group of 20 other EDL supporters and he had been a member of the EDL since December 2010, “joining after believing too many extremists were coming into the country”.
Two other EDL supporters also appeared before magistrates charged with public order offences.
Simon Pearson, 28, of Whitehill Road, Abbey, Cambridge, denied using threatening words and behaviour in the area of Christ’s Pieces and his case was adjourned to August 31.
Shaun Hughes, 48, of Wethersfield Road, Colchester, was accused of using threatening behaviour and assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty.
His solicitor, Peter Vialls, told the court that Hughes had “serious mental health issues” and that he would be contacting prosecutors to see if the case could be dealt with in another way.
Hughes was released on bail until August 18 with conditions that he does not attend any EDL rallies or enter Cambridgeshire apart from for court appearances.
Ms Mardell said Hopkins’ case arose when a group of around 10 EDL supporters clashed with a group of Asian men in the Parkside area.
A fight started and police saw Hopkins punching an Asian man in the head three or four times.
Mr Vialls, for Hopkins, said: “The defendant is just 18 and has not been involved in anything like this before.
“He expected to take part in a demonstration and had not intended to do anything unlawful or take part in any violence.”
Mr Vialls said Hopkins blamed the Muslim Defence League for starting abuse. He then became involved in the fight to defend a young friend and regretted what had happened.
Cambridge News
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