Prison terms at hard labor were imposed last night by the Coblenz court on two former Nazi SS officers for complicity in the slaughter of 6,624 Jews in Minsk in 1941. A 15-year sentence was given to Carl Zenner, 62, a former SS brigade leader and major general of Nazi police, and an eight-year term to Hans Remmers, 55, former SS lieutenant colonel.
Testimony by Zenner, who had been SS police leader in Minsk in November 1941, when the murders took place, was contradicted by Remmers. Zenner claimed he knew nothing about the mass shootings and that he had only heard rumors about them. Remmers testified that Zenner had been helpful in preparing for and carrying out the mass executions.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.