Former Nazi admits killing civilians

A former member of the Nazi SS on trial for murder today admitted he killed three Dutch civilians during the war.

Heinrich Boere acknowledged in Aachen state court today that he killed a bicycle-shop owner, a pharmacist and another civilian.

He says he acted “with no feeling that I was committing a crime” but says now he “sees things from a different perspective”.

The 88-year-old said as a soldier he was following orders – an argument that his lawyers will now likely try to use to win his acquittal.

Boere faces a possible life in prison if convicted of three counts of murder.

He had previously acknowledged the killings in statements to Dutch police after the war and in newspaper reports.