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| Auschwitz death camp sign stolen | Auschwitz death camp sign stolen |
| (39 minutes later) | |
| The infamous Arbeit Macht Frei sign at the entrance to the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Poland has been stolen. | The infamous Arbeit Macht Frei sign at the entrance to the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Poland has been stolen. |
| The wrought iron sign, whose words mean "Work Sets You Free", was unscrewed and pulled down from its position above the gate in the early hours of Friday. | The wrought iron sign, whose words mean "Work Sets You Free", was unscrewed and pulled down from its position above the gate in the early hours of Friday. |
| Polish authorities denounced the theft, while Israel's Holocaust museum branded it an "act of war". | Polish authorities denounced the theft, while Israel's Holocaust museum branded it an "act of war". |
| More than a million people - 90% of them Jews - were murdered by the Nazis at Auschwitz during World War II. | More than a million people - 90% of them Jews - were murdered by the Nazis at Auschwitz during World War II. |
| Investigators say at least two people would have been needed to steal the five-metre-long (16ft), 40kg (90lb) sign. | Investigators say at least two people would have been needed to steal the five-metre-long (16ft), 40kg (90lb) sign. |
| The theft occurred between 0330 and 0500 local time on Friday, police spokeswoman Katarzyna Padlo told AP news agency. | The theft occurred between 0330 and 0500 local time on Friday, police spokeswoman Katarzyna Padlo told AP news agency. |
| If they are pranksters, they'd have to be sick Michael SchudrichPoland's chief rabbi href="/2/hi/europe/8420681.stm">Symbol of death and defiance class="" href="/2/hi/in_depth/7828486.stm">Auschwitz: Past and present Audio-slideshow: Auschwitz decay | |
| Jarek Mensfelt, from the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, told the BBC: "It is more than just stealing something. It is a desecration. | Jarek Mensfelt, from the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, told the BBC: "It is more than just stealing something. It is a desecration. |
| "Somebody who did this must have been a person who had a knowledge of our security system because all the area is closed at night and patrolled and there is a system of cameras," he added. | "Somebody who did this must have been a person who had a knowledge of our security system because all the area is closed at night and patrolled and there is a system of cameras," he added. |
| "This was not an incident - this was a deliberate and organised action." | "This was not an incident - this was a deliberate and organised action." |
| Avner Shalev, director of Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, said the theft "constitutes a true declaration of war". | Avner Shalev, director of Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial, said the theft "constitutes a true declaration of war". |
| He added: "We don't know the identity of the perpetrators but I assume they are neo-Nazis." | He added: "We don't know the identity of the perpetrators but I assume they are neo-Nazis." |
| 'Abominable' | 'Abominable' |
| Polish ex-President Lech Walesa described the theft as "unthinkable", while Poland's chief rabbi said he could not imagine who would do such a thing. | Polish ex-President Lech Walesa described the theft as "unthinkable", while Poland's chief rabbi said he could not imagine who would do such a thing. |
| FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service | FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service |
| "If they are pranksters, they'd have to be sick," said Michael Schudrich. | "If they are pranksters, they'd have to be sick," said Michael Schudrich. |
| Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom labelled the theft "abominable". | Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Silvan Shalom labelled the theft "abominable". |
| "This act demonstrates once again hatred and violence against Jews," he is quoted as saying by AFP news agency. | "This act demonstrates once again hatred and violence against Jews," he is quoted as saying by AFP news agency. |
| The BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw says police are interviewing security guards and viewing closed circuit television footage. | The BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw says police are interviewing security guards and viewing closed circuit television footage. |
| It is not clear why it was stolen but museum officials say the widely recognised sign would be difficult to sell. | It is not clear why it was stolen but museum officials say the widely recognised sign would be difficult to sell. |
| It is the first time the sign, made by Polish prisoners, has been stolen since it was erected in 1940. | It is the first time the sign, made by Polish prisoners, has been stolen since it was erected in 1940. |
| Reward offer | Reward offer |
| Occasionally removed by officials for conservation work, it has been replaced by a replica. | Occasionally removed by officials for conservation work, it has been replaced by a replica. |
| Hundreds of thousands of people visit the museum every year | Hundreds of thousands of people visit the museum every year |
| A 5,000-zloty ($1,700; £1,050) reward has been offered for information leading to the capture of the thieves, reports AP. | A 5,000-zloty ($1,700; £1,050) reward has been offered for information leading to the capture of the thieves, reports AP. |
| The cynical slogan "Arbeit Macht Frei" was also used at the entrances to other Nazi camps, including Dachau and Sachsenhausen, although the one at Auschwitz is perhaps the best known. | The cynical slogan "Arbeit Macht Frei" was also used at the entrances to other Nazi camps, including Dachau and Sachsenhausen, although the one at Auschwitz is perhaps the best known. |
| Hundreds of thousands of prisoners passed under the sign into the camp during the Holocaust, but the majority were murdered or worked to death. | Hundreds of thousands of prisoners passed under the sign into the camp during the Holocaust, but the majority were murdered or worked to death. |
| The theft comes just days after the German government pledged 60m euros ($86m) to an endowment fund to help preserve the camp. | The theft comes just days after the German government pledged 60m euros ($86m) to an endowment fund to help preserve the camp. |
| Auschwitz, which receives more than a million visitors a year, has been run as a state museum since 1947. | Auschwitz, which receives more than a million visitors a year, has been run as a state museum since 1947. |
| What is your reaction to the theft of the sign? Send us your comments using the form below. | What is your reaction to the theft of the sign? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |