2 UK teens suspected of taking Auschwitz items

Polish police say two British teenagers have been detained and questioned on suspicion they stole objects that belonged to the victims of the Nazis’ Auschwitz death camp.

Regional police spokesman Mateusz Ciarka said a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old were seen Monday taking objects from the site of the former camp’s warehouses, where the Nazis kept victims’ belongings. Ciarka said Tuesday that part of an old hair-cutting machine, two pieces of reinforced glass from the warehouses and some buttons were found on the teens.

They denied any wrongdoing but were held in police custody overnight, pending questioning by the prosecutors Tuesday.

If convicted of stealing objects of special historic value, they could face up to 10 years in prison. Polish courts have previously handed out suspended prison terms and heavy fines.

— AP