Arrest in theft of death camp icon

SWEDISH police yesterday arrested a former neo-Nazi leader that Polish investigators suspect of being involved in the theft of the “Arbeit Macht Frei” sign at Auschwitz.

Swedish Prosecutor Agneta Hilding Qvarnstrom said 34-year-old Anders Hogstrom was detained in Stockholm on a European arrest warrant.

Hilding Qvarnstrom said Hogstrom will be appointed a defence lawyer and questioned by Swedish investigators before authorities can decide on extraditing him to Poland.

Polish officials have said Hogstrom is suspected of incitement to commit theft of a cultural treasure.

The infamous sign — which means “Work Sets You Free” in German — was stolen in December from the site of the Nazis’ former Auschwitz death camp in Poland.

Polish police found it in the woods three days later cut up into three pieces and charged five Polish men with its theft.

The Polish prosecutor has said he has evidence that Hogstrom visited Auschwitz with two Poles last spring and told them to steal the sign.

Hogstrom has reportedly given conflicting information about his alleged role in the theft.

Tabloid Aftonbladet quoted Hogstrom as saying he was acting as a middleman between the Polish thieves and an English-speaking buyer. But in a video clip posted on the website of another tabloid, Expressen, Hogstrom, said he had been tipped off about the theft and tried to stop it.