Polish youth sent to prison for racism, anti-Semitism

WARSAW, Poland (JTA) — A Bialystok court sentenced four young men to a year in prison in part for racism and anti-Semitism.

They were jailed for being active members of a group that promotes fascism and public incitement to hatred on grounds of nationality and religion.

“There is no indication that they have changed their views, which are not only dangerous but also primitive and vulgar,” said Judge Slawomir Wolosik, announcing the verdict on Aug. 31.

During the investigation, one of the members of the group told police that “I am anti-Semite, fascist and I hate Jews.”

The group, called IV Edition, was engaged in painting Nazi slogans and symbols on Jewish memorials. In 2007, members of the group vandalized the Jewish cemetery in Bialystok and a monument dedicated to victims of the ghetto, including painting the epithet “Jude Raus” and stars of David on gallows.