Court charges three over Auschwitz sign theft

A Swede is suspected of being the mastermind behind the brazen theft last year of the notorious Arbeit Macht Frei sign from Auschwitz, a prosecutor said today.

Three people were charged with involvement in the theft, including two Poles and another Swedish man.

Prosecutor Janusz Hnatko said the three men, Anders Hogstrom from Sweden, and Andrzej S and Marcin A, from Poland, have pleaded guilty and will face prison sentences.

He said the Polish suspects were motivated by financial gain, each earning 5,000 to 10,000 zlotys (€1,262 to €2,530) for the sign, which means “Work Sets You Free.”

Hogstrom acted under “other obligations”.

He did not elaborate or release the identity of the Swede suspected of being behind the heist.