Nazi War Crimes Suspect Dies In U.S. One Day Before Extradition Order
A judge in Philadelphia issued an order today granting a request for a former Nazi camp guard to be extradited to Germany, but 89-year-old Johann "Hans" Breyer, who, according to his lawyer, had heart disease and dementia, died Tuesday, his lawyer told The Associated Press.
Attorney Dennis Boyle told the news agency that Breyer died Tuesday night at a Philadelphia hospital.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas R. Rice said in his ruling: "There is probable cause to believe that Breyer ... is the same person sought for aiding and abetting murder in Germany."
The extradition request was subject to U.S. government approval.
We told you about Breyer earlier this month when a judge denied him bail. The AP reported at the time:
"German authorities hope to try Breyer on accessory-to-murder charges for his guard service at the Auschwitz death camp in 1944. Breyer told The Associated Press in 2012 that he was forced to work there as an SS guard but never took part in the mass killing of Jews and others."