The world’s most wanted Nazi criminal—allegedly involved in the death of 15,700
Jews—might soon be facing prison.
Authorities in Slovakia want Laszlo Csatary, 97, extradited from Hungary, where
he currently lives. The ex-Nazi official was discovered last
month in Budapest after efforts by the Simon Wiesenthal Center
and England’s Sun newspaper.
At that time, Hungary said it had
no intention of dragging up old charges, releasing a statement
that said the crimes “took place 68 years ago in an area
that now falls under the jurisdiction of another country
- which also with regard to the related international conventions
raises several investigative and legal problems.”
Csatary was an officer in World War
II in Kosice, a town located in what is Slovakia today, and
has long been ranked the SWC's most wanted Nazi criminal.
Now, Slovakia wants to see the nonagenarian brought to justice,
and Hungary has announced it is considering an arrest as
well.
“This is one of the last possibilities
for us to punish someone for crimes carried out during the
Second World War,” said Slovakia’s Justice Minister Tomas
Borec. “Csatary’s crimes cannot be justified on the basis
that he acted on orders.”
Following the war, Csatary, who maintains
his innocence, fled to Canada, where he worked as an art
dealer for decades. In 1948, Slovakian courts sentenced him
to death in absentia, but were unable to track Csatary down.
His identity was discovered in the 90s, and Canada stripped
him of his citizenship, prompting his escape to Hungary,
where he has resided since.
The SWC has reportedly discovered
new evidence against Csatary, which led to Hungary’s renewed
willingness to consider pressing charges. As a result, the
suspect has been placed on house arrest until Hungarian officials
decide their next step.
Efraim Zuroff, director of the SWC,
said he was “very upset and very frustrated” by Hungarian
authorities’ resistance to go after Csatary.
Slovakia, meanwhile, has said the
death sentence would be commuted to life in prison should
Hungary hand him over. jspace.com
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