A court in Krakow has extended the time two Poles suspected of involvement in the Auschwitz sign theft in December can be held for questioning till 20 September. 

“The court decided to keep the suspects in custody in fear of collusion [between them] and because of the seriousness of the charges, which may result in 10-year prison sentence,” said the prosecutor Maria Hajto-Gwozdz.

The Prosecutor’s Office says that evidence against Andrzej S. and Marcin A. - who are suspected acted acting as middleman between three Polish thieves and the alleged purchasers of the “world makes you free” sign - is incomplete without Swede Anders Hogstrom’s testimony, who is also being held in Krakow after being extradited from Stockholm.

Next week, the Prosecutor’s Office in Krakow is also going to file a motion at the court to extend detention of Hogstrom, who is suspected of masterminding the theft.

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 are accused of committing the theft. Three Poles suspected of stealing the Auschwitz sign have been already sentenced to up to two and a half years in prison. (mg) 

Source: PAP