Polish prosecutor: Swede visited Auschwitz site with 2 Poles, ordered sign theft
By APWednesday, January 6, 2010
Prosecutor: Swede ordered Auschwitz theft
WARSAW, Poland — A Polish prosecutor says a Swedish citizen ordered the theft of the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign from the Auschwitz memorial and visited the site before the heist.
Krakow prosecutor Artur Wrona said Wednesday that a Swedish man visited the site with two Poles last spring. The man told them there he wanted them to steal the infamous sign, which means “Work Sets You Free.”
Prosecutors have said the two confessed to having removed the sign on Dec. 18, with the aid of three others who also have confessed. All five remain in detention.
Wrona says the identity of the Swedish suspect has been given to Sweden as a step toward having him questioned.
Wrona said the damaged sign could be returned before the 65th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation on Jan. 27.
