Jews in Rome protest freedom of movement for convicted Nazi

JTA – About 20 Roman Jews protested outside the apartment building of convicted Nazi war criminal Erich Priebke over his freedom of movement.

Monday’s demonstrators staged a brief, silent protest in front of the building where the former SS officer, who is 99, is serving a life sentence under house arrest for his role in the World War II Nazi massacre of 335 Roman men and boys, including about 75 Jews, in the Ardeatine Caves south of the city. They say he is allowed to leave confinement and walk around his neighborhood “like a tourist.”

The protesters, some wearing kipot, carried two banners. One read, “Priebke, Nazi executioner, we don’t forget you and we don’t forgive you. Am Yisroel Chai,” and the other, “Priebke, Nazi assassin, strolling about like a tourist. For shame.”

Local media said the early morning protest lasted around 15 minutes and protesters disbanded without incident.