Three men who have pleaded guilty of stealing the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign from the Auschwitz camp gate are willing to accept a 2.5 year prison sentence proposed by the Prosecutor’s Office.
The Prosecutor’s Office in Krakow has charged Radoslaw M., Lukasz M. and Pawel S. of stealing and damaging the sign, and asked the court to impose a prison sentence from 18 months to 2.5 years for the suspects. As the Poles have already confessed to the crime and agreed to the settlement, there will probably be no trial, under Polish law.
The Prosecutor’s Office is still trying to establish the role of two other Poles in 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 Anders Hogstrom, who is now awaiting extradition, were accused of committing the theft. (mg/pg)