Polish Court Sentences Swede to Nearly Three Years in Prison Over Auschwitz Theft

KRAKOW (REUTERS).- A Polish court sentenced a Swedish man on Thursday to nearly three years in prison for masterminding the theft of the infamous “Arbeit macht frei” sign from the entry gate of the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz. The sign — an enduring symbol of the Holocaust whose English meaning is “Work sets you free” — was stolen last December, triggering international outrage, especially in Israel and among Jewish groups, but was soon recovered. The court in Krakow, southern Poland, sentenced Anders Hogstrom, 34, to two years and eight months in jail for orchestrating the theft. When the court announced its decision, Hogstrom said calmly: “Yes, I accept the verdict.” Hogstrom, caught in Sweden in February, will shortly be extradited back home to serve out the remainder of his sentence. The Krakow court also handed down jail sentences of up to 2-1/2 years to two Poles who stole the metal sign and cut it into three pieces to fit into their car. The sign has been repair

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