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Demjanjuk war crimes trial begins Demjanjuk war crimes trial begins
(30 minutes later)
John Demjanjuk, accused of helping to murder more than 27,000 Jews at a Nazi death camp, is due to go on trial in the German city of Munich.John Demjanjuk, accused of helping to murder more than 27,000 Jews at a Nazi death camp, is due to go on trial in the German city of Munich.
Mr Demjanjuk, who is 89 and was deported from the United States earlier this year, denies he was a camp guard at Sobibor, in Nazi-occupied Poland.Mr Demjanjuk, who is 89 and was deported from the United States earlier this year, denies he was a camp guard at Sobibor, in Nazi-occupied Poland.
This case looks likely to be the last big Nazi-era trial.This case looks likely to be the last big Nazi-era trial.
But the trial's first session was delayed, AFP news agency said, as large numbers of people tried to gain access.But the trial's first session was delayed, AFP news agency said, as large numbers of people tried to gain access.
The trial is expected to last until May and, if found guilty, Mr Demjanjuk could be sentenced to 15 years in jail.The trial is expected to last until May and, if found guilty, Mr Demjanjuk could be sentenced to 15 years in jail.
Breaking new ground
Witnesses have been arriving for the court session, but organisers were overwhelmed by the crowds of people trying to get in, including journalists and relatives of Holocaust survivors.
DEMJANJUK - PROSECUTION CHALLENGES 89 years old, health failingDescribed by prosecution as low-ranking guardNo death camp survivors to testify against him personallyProsecution relying on joint plaintiffs and circumstantial evidence Profile: John Demjanjuk Escaping death camp life of 'hell'
Thomas Blatt, a Sobibor survivor, told journalists on his way into court that he was not looking for revenge.
"I'm here to tell the way it was years ago, I don't know Demjanjuk in person," he said.
John Demjanjuk is a retired US car worker, but he stands accused of having helped the Nazi death factory to function.John Demjanjuk is a retired US car worker, but he stands accused of having helped the Nazi death factory to function.
DEMJANJUK CASE TIMELINE 1952: Gains entry into the US, claiming he spent most of the war as a German prisoner1977: First charged with war crimes, accused of being "Ivan the Terrible"1981: Stripped of US citizenship 1986: Extradited to Israel1993: Israeli Supreme Court overturns conviction, ruling that he is not Ivan the Terrible2002: Loses US citizenship after a judge said there was proof he worked at Nazi camps2005: A judge rules in favour of deportation to his native Ukraine2009: Germany issues an arrest warrant for him; deported by US; formally charged with 27,900 counts of accessory to murder Profile: John Demjanjuk Escaping death camp life of 'hell'
Prosecutors say that, as a camp guard at Sobibor, he pushed thousands of Jewish men, women and children to their death in the gas chambers.Prosecutors say that, as a camp guard at Sobibor, he pushed thousands of Jewish men, women and children to their death in the gas chambers.
Mr Demjanjuk was born in Ukraine and captured by the Nazis while fighting in the Soviet army. He denies even being at Sobibor.Mr Demjanjuk was born in Ukraine and captured by the Nazis while fighting in the Soviet army. He denies even being at Sobibor.
Over 60 years later, this may be Germany's last big war crimes trial.Over 60 years later, this may be Germany's last big war crimes trial.
DEMJANJUK CASE TIMELINE 1952: Gains entry into the US, claiming he spent most of the war as a German prisoner1977: First charged with war crimes, accused of being "Ivan the Terrible"1981: Stripped of US citizenship 1986: Extradited to Israel1993: Israeli Supreme Court overturns conviction, ruling that he is not Ivan the Terrible2002: Loses US citizenship after a judge said there was proof he worked at Nazi camps2005: A judge rules in favour of deportation to his native Ukraine2009: Germany issues an arrest warrant for him; deported by US; formally charged with 27,900 counts of accessory to murder
But the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Munich says that, as the first to focus on a low-ranking foreigner rather than a senior Nazi commander, it breaks new legal ground.But the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Munich says that, as the first to focus on a low-ranking foreigner rather than a senior Nazi commander, it breaks new legal ground.
As Mr Demjanjuk is 89 and in poor health, doctors have asked that hearings should be limited to two 90-minute sessions per day.As Mr Demjanjuk is 89 and in poor health, doctors have asked that hearings should be limited to two 90-minute sessions per day.
There are no living witnesses in this case, but over 30 people listed as joint plaintiffs are expected to testify about what happened at Sobibor, described by investigators as hell on earth.There are no living witnesses in this case, but over 30 people listed as joint plaintiffs are expected to testify about what happened at Sobibor, described by investigators as hell on earth.
Two are camp survivors, others lost relatives or their entire families among the 250,000 people murdered there.Two are camp survivors, others lost relatives or their entire families among the 250,000 people murdered there.
This is the second time John Demjanjuk is appearing in court.This is the second time John Demjanjuk is appearing in court.
Two decades ago, he was sentenced to death in Israel, convicted of being Ivan the Terrible, a notoriously sadistic guard at the Treblinka death camp.Two decades ago, he was sentenced to death in Israel, convicted of being Ivan the Terrible, a notoriously sadistic guard at the Treblinka death camp.
But that ruling was overturned after new evidence showed that another Ukrainian was probably responsible.But that ruling was overturned after new evidence showed that another Ukrainian was probably responsible.