** Former Auschwitz paramedic/guard found unfit for trial;medical test results could derail future court dates
GERMANY NEWS
** The already postponed trial of a former Auschwitz paramedic may never get off the ground after a doctor found Hubert Zafke, 95, unfit for trial. That is the word from the Associated Press (March 4) which said Zafke is suffering from high blood pressure, stress, and a broken arm. According to the newspaper, the next hearing date is set for March 14th. However, this, too, could change as several other medical experts are set to examine him. Zafke has been charged with 3,681 counts of murder by virtue of his role at the World War II death camp. The Daily Mail (Allan Hall/Simon Tomlinson/December 2) said SS guard Zafke was classed as a medic at the facility, but is accused of aiding in gassing Jews by pouring the deadly Zyklon-B crystals into the slots above the showers. He began working at Auschwitz in the summer of 1944. The charges are limited to the period of August 14, 1944 to September 14, 1944. Prior to his time at the death camp, he had also worked at Dachau.
