Nazi killer starts jail term at 90

A former member of the Waffen SS has begun a life-sentence for the murder of three civilians during World War II.

Wheelchair bound Heinrich Boere, who is now 90 years old, was taken from his nursing home to the prison where he will serve his sentence.

An appeal on medical grounds was rejected, as a medical expert testified he was well enough to serve his sentence at a suitable facility.

Boere argued he had to shoot members of the Dutch resistance as he was ordered to do so by his commanding officers and risked being sent to a concentration camp himself if he didn’t comply.

"At no time in 1944 did I act with the feeling that I was committing a crime," he told the court during his trial, but added that 65 years later he saw things from a different perspective.

Related article:

Nazi hunters' final push (15 Dec 2011)

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