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Nazi gold train claimants could face prosecution

PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge 24.09.2015 18:11
The two men who claim to have located a supposedly treasure-laden WWII Nazi train in south west Poland could face charges for not having obtained permits to use ground-penetrating radar (GPR).
One of the underground chambers constructed in the vicinity of Wałbrzych during World War II by the Nazi German regime. Photo: wikimedia commons/Chmee 2One of the underground chambers constructed in the vicinity of Wałbrzych during World War II by the Nazi German regime. Photo: wikimedia commons/Chmee 2

By law, Pole Piotr Koper and German Andreas Richter should have applied to Lower Silesia's Conservator of Monuments, Barbara Nowak-Obelinda, or Poland's General Conservator, Deputy Minister of Culture Piotr Zuchowski.

Nowak-Obelinda has already filed a complaint with the District Prosecutor's Office in the city of Wałbrzych.

The two men submitted a claim in August with Wałbrzych authorities, calling for 10 percent of the value of their supposed find.

In 1943, the Nazi regime launched Project Riese in Lower Silesia, constructing a large network of underground chambers. Some are already accessible to the public, under the auspices of local museums.

The site where the train was allegedly hidden 70 years ago lies on the rail route between Wrocław and Walbrzych, both of which were part of German territory prior to and during WWII, named Breslau and Waldenburg respectively.

As Germans fled the advancing Red Army at the end of the war, innumerable valuables – many of them looted - were shifted from across Germany and Nazi-occupied Europe.

The Soviets took Waldenburg (Wałbrzych) on 8 May 1945. Poland's borders were moved west - as finalised two months later at the Potsdam Conference - and the city became Polish.

Sappers preparing for action

Meanwhile, sappers from an army regiment in the Silesian town of Brzeg are expected to appear at the site on Monday.

Although they will survey the territory, it has been stressed that no digging will be carried out at present.

Polish Minister of Defence Tomasz Siemoniak has underlined that first and foremost, the question of safety must be tackled.

Rumours have spread about mines and bombs which supposedly could be hidden there,” Siemoniak said.

The site was initially sealed off on 31 August. (nh/rk)

Source: IAR

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