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Nazi Hunters Want Inquiry of How Dr. Death Evaded Authorities

The Simon Wiesenthal Center demanded Wednesday, Feb. 11, that the German Foreign Ministry "fully investigate the failure of its representatives" to report the whereabouts in Egypt of wanted Nazi war criminal Aribert Heim "and thereby facilitate his capture."

A statement released by the center's Jerusalem office said findings by The New York Times and German public broadcaster ZDF proved that Heim, known as "Dr. Death," submitted an application to extend his stay in Egypt in 1981.

"It is clear that representatives of the German Embassy in Cairo most likely were aware of the Nazi war criminal's residence in Egypt as early as that year, but apparently failed to report this fact to the German judicial authorities, despite the existing arrest warrant for Heim's arrest," the statement said.

The New York Times and ZDF reported earlier this month that Heim died of cancer in Cairo on Aug. 10, 1992.

A spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday Berlin was taking the issue "very seriously" and that there would be a "thorough investigation."

Read entire article at Deutsche Welle