The District Court in Krakow has sentenced three Poles who stole the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign from the Auschwitz camp gate. To up to two and a half years in prison.

Radoslaw M. was sentenced to 2 and a half years in prison, his brother Lukasz M. to 2 years and 4 months and Pawel S. to 1.5 years in prison. The thieves will also have to pay 10,000 zloty (2,500 euro) for stealing and damaging the sign, which they cut into three pieces.

The court established that the two brothers dismantled the sign and their accomplice transported it to the coast. All the verdicts are legally binding.

The three men pleaded guilty to stealing the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign and accepted the punishment. They also apologized for what they did.

Two other men involved in the theft: Andrzej S., who recruited the thieves, and Marcin A., who was a middleman between Andrzej S. and, allegedly the Swede Anders Hoegstrom, who is accused of masterminding the crime, are in custody.

The “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign from the Auschwitz gate was stolen on 18 December and recovered after three days around 600 kilometers from the former death camp. Five Poles and a Swede Anders Hogstrom, who is now awaiting extradition, were accused of committing the theft. (mg/pg)