Leipzig: Federal Court of Justice decides on aid to the Nazi mass murder

Leipzig: Federal Court of Justice decides on aid to the Nazi mass murder

Leipzig (dpa) - The question of individual responsibility for the atrocities of National Socialism is still concerned. A procedure in front of the Federal Court of Justice in Leipzig is currently being discussed to what extent a concentration camp secretary has provided aid to murder. The judgment on this case, which is considered one of the last major processes on the Nazi past, is expected on August 20th.

The case of the KZ secretary Irmgard f.

IRMGARD F., the now 99 -year -old former secretary of the Stutthof concentration camp, has come into the focus of the judiciary. In December 2022, the Itzehoe district court condemned it in over 10,500 cases and for the aid of attempted murder in five cases. She should bring in a youth penalty of two years on probation. The revision now negotiated could have far -reaching consequences for assessing the action of people in comparable positions in the concentration camps.

legal questions and the defense strategy

The defense of Irmgard F. sees fundamental legal questions inadequate. Her lawyers question whether her work as a secretary is a relevant connection to the crimes in the camp. They argue that Irmgard F. did not actively contribute to the implementation of the atrocities due to their work, but only carried out "neutral acts" that do not differ from their previous sanctuary.

The defense asks whether it is actually detectable that the accused was informed about what is happening in the camp. Colleague Wolf Molkentin describes the strict hierarchies that prevailed in a concentration camp and explains that a "psychological aid" is hardly given if you look at the contextualization of the roles.

The perspective of the co -plaintiffs

The Attorney General has criticized the defense and demands that the revision be rejected. He sees the judgment as justified because Irmgard F. immediately served the mass murder in the Stutthof concentration camp through her activities. Cond-plaintiffs, including a 96-year-old, noted that people who claim that they only followed orders were complicit. He wishes the accused an honest insight into her role during the war.

social importance of the process

This process and the associated discussions are of great social relevance. They throw a shadow in the way in which responsibility is weighted in the context of atrocities and political commands. The case reminds that decisions must also be made in submissive positions that can have far -reaching effects on the lives of other people.

outlook on the decision

The upcoming decision of the Federal Court of Justice could not only be based on the guilt or innocence of Irmgard F., but also about how future cases from the Nazi era processed and what standards are used to assess the accomplice and aid. Every step in this process helps to work up the collective memory and responsibility for the past.

- Nag