Reinhold Hanning stands trial in Detmold, Germany. (Getty)
A 94-year-old man who served the Nazis during the Holocaust has been sentenced to five years in prison.
On June 17, Reinhold Hanning was found guilty of being an accessory to murder during his time as guard at the Auschwitz camp, where 1.3 million people were killed.
Here’s everything you need to know about Reinhold Hanning and his trial.
1. He Was an SS Guard in Auschwitz for Two Years
Reinhold Hanning served as a guard in the Holocaust for two years. (Getty)
Reinhold Hanning served as an SS guard in Auschwitz for two years after volunteering for the Waffen SS at the age of 18. Although he did not personally kill anyone, Hanning says he was aware of what was happening at the camp and did not do anything to stop it, according to BBC News.
Prosecutors argued that Hanning’s actions “contributed to the extermination aim of the camp.”
Hanning’s lawyers argued that he never killed, beat or mistreated anyone during his time there.
2. Many Holocaust Survivors Testified During the Trial
Witness Angela Orosz, who was born in Auschwitz, shows a photo of her parents during Hanning’s trial. (Getty)
Over the course of the trial, many Holocaust survivors shared their stories and spoke in support of Hanning’s conviction.
71-year-old Angela Orosz Richt-Bein, who was born inside the Auschwitz camp, said that people like Hanning who did not ask any questions and who looked the other way are responsible for the atrocity. She also confronted Hanning directly when he refused to speak throughout the trial.
“You know what happened to all the people, you enabled their murder,” she said to Hanning. “Tell us! Tell us!”
Other victims begged Hanning to speak on the record about what he did so that Holocaust deniers could hear the truth directly from a guard who was there.
A 94-year-old witness said to the accused, “Mr Hanning, we are virtually the same age and soon we will face our final judge. I would like to ask you to tell the historical truth here, just as I am.”
3. He Has Apologized for His Involvement
After fourth months of appearing on trial, Reinhold Hanning apologized for his involvement in the Holocaust. (Getty)
After remaining silent for the majority of the trial, Hanning finally expressed regret for his role in keeping Auschwitz running and said he wishes he had never been there. He also says he had remained silent because he was ashamed and because no one in his family knew he worked in the camp, according to RT.
“It disturbs me deeply that I was part of such a criminal organization,” he said. “I am ashamed that I saw injustice and never did anything about it and I apologize for my actions.”
About 1.3 million people were killed in Auschwitz during its operation, according to the University of Minnesota’s Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies.
4. He Was Convicted on 170,000 Counts of Accessory to Murder
Reinhold Hanning was found guilty of accessory to murder on June 17. (Getty)
Up until 2011, those involved in the Holocaust were only prosecuted if it was shown that they directly took part in murder or torture during their service, according to The Guardian.
But now several camp guards are being put on trial for being an accessory to murder, with the thinking being that they have culpability even if they did not directly kill or torture.
On Friday, it was announced that Hanning had been convicted of 170,000 counts of accessory to murder. He has been sentenced to five years in prison.
5. This May Be the Last Holocaust-Related Trial
Reinhold Hanning’s trial may be the last of its kind. (Getty)
The Hanning verdict is especially noteworthy because due to the age of those who worked in Nazi camps, this trial may be one of the last of its kind. In recent years, many similar cases were closed because the defendants were not fit to stand trial, according to NBC News. Five cases remain active.
“Now it is a race against time,” director of Germany’s Central Investigation Center for Nazi Crimes Jens Rommel said.
Many Jewish organizations welcomed the verdict and noted that it is never too late for a person to be held accountable.
“Finally, finally, a wonderful victory for justice,” 88-year-old survivor Hedy Bohm said. “This is what we fought for for so long.”