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| Adolf Hitler parents' tombstone in Austria removed | Adolf Hitler parents' tombstone in Austria removed |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The tombstone marking the grave of Adolf Hitler's parents in Austria has been removed, officials say, to end its use as a pilgrimage site for right-wing extremists. | The tombstone marking the grave of Adolf Hitler's parents in Austria has been removed, officials say, to end its use as a pilgrimage site for right-wing extremists. |
| The grave is in Leonding, 10km (six miles), from the city of Linz. | The grave is in Leonding, 10km (six miles), from the city of Linz. |
| A descendant of the family made the decision, the mayor of Leonding, Walter Brunner, said. | A descendant of the family made the decision, the mayor of Leonding, Walter Brunner, said. |
| Adolf Hitler was born near Braunau, 100km away, but spent much of his childhood in Leonding. | |
| Mr Brunner said he had no more details of the decision by the descendant, but welcomed it, the Associated Press reported. | Mr Brunner said he had no more details of the decision by the descendant, but welcomed it, the Associated Press reported. |
| The relative has given up her rights to the rented plot. | The relative has given up her rights to the rented plot. |
| Without ceremony | Without ceremony |
| The tombstone for the parents, Alois and Klara, was removed on Wednesday and the plot will now be used for a new burial, the pastor of the parish, Kurt Pittertschatscher, told local media. | The tombstone for the parents, Alois and Klara, was removed on Wednesday and the plot will now be used for a new burial, the pastor of the parish, Kurt Pittertschatscher, told local media. |
| "The rights holder has relinquished it. The tombstone has been taken away and the grave can now be reassigned," Mr Pittertschatscher said. | "The rights holder has relinquished it. The tombstone has been taken away and the grave can now be reassigned," Mr Pittertschatscher said. |
| He added: "The upkeep of the grave was becoming increasingly difficult as the years went by, and the grave... kept being misused for gatherings of sympathisers." | He added: "The upkeep of the grave was becoming increasingly difficult as the years went by, and the grave... kept being misused for gatherings of sympathisers." |
| When asked whether he believed it unlikely anyone would want the plot, he said: "I really haven't thought about it." | When asked whether he believed it unlikely anyone would want the plot, he said: "I really haven't thought about it." |
| The descendant is said to be an elderly female relative of Alois Hitler's first wife, Anna. | The descendant is said to be an elderly female relative of Alois Hitler's first wife, Anna. |
| Mr Pittertschatscher said the relative had employed a stonemason to remove the headstone without ceremony. | Mr Pittertschatscher said the relative had employed a stonemason to remove the headstone without ceremony. |
| It is not known what happened to the remains in the grave. A white gravel square and a tree now stand at the site. | It is not known what happened to the remains in the grave. A white gravel square and a tree now stand at the site. |
| Anti-fascist groups had lobbied for the removal of the tombstone. | Anti-fascist groups had lobbied for the removal of the tombstone. |
| In 2011, a vase bearing the word "unvergesslich" (unforgettable) with the two s's marked in the style of the SS was left at the site. | In 2011, a vase bearing the word "unvergesslich" (unforgettable) with the two s's marked in the style of the SS was left at the site. |
| The Upper Austrian Network Against Fascism pressure group said the removal was a "welcome success". | The Upper Austrian Network Against Fascism pressure group said the removal was a "welcome success". |
| The network's Robert Eiter said: "A lot of flowers and wreaths were deposited there from people who clearly were admirers. It had to do with the son and not the parents." | The network's Robert Eiter said: "A lot of flowers and wreaths were deposited there from people who clearly were admirers. It had to do with the son and not the parents." |