A former member of the SS, who was allegedly a guard at Auschwitz, has been arrested in southern Germany.
About 1.5 million people were murdered at Auschwitz in German-occupied Poland during the War. It was liberated by the Soviets in 1945.
Hans Lipschis, 93, was taken into custody after authorities concluded there is "compelling evidence" he was involved in crimes at the camp while there from 1941 to 1945, prosecutor Claudia Krauth said.
Lipschis has acknowledged being assigned to an SS guard unit at Auschwitz but maintains he only served as a cook and was not involved in any war crimes.
A judge, however, upheld an arrest warrant after deciding there was enough evidence to hold Lipschis before charges on accessory to murder are brought.
Bringing formal charges, a process similar to a US grand jury indictment, would take another two months, Ms Krauth said.
In the meantime, a doctor has confirmed Lipschis' health remains good enough for him to be kept in detention.
Lipschis is No4 on the Simon Wiesenthal Centre's most wanted Nazis list
Read more: Alleged Nazi SS Auschwitz Guard, 93, Arrested
About 1.5 million people were murdered at Auschwitz in German-occupied Poland during the War. It was liberated by the Soviets in 1945.
Hans Lipschis, 93, was taken into custody after authorities concluded there is "compelling evidence" he was involved in crimes at the camp while there from 1941 to 1945, prosecutor Claudia Krauth said.
Lipschis has acknowledged being assigned to an SS guard unit at Auschwitz but maintains he only served as a cook and was not involved in any war crimes.
A judge, however, upheld an arrest warrant after deciding there was enough evidence to hold Lipschis before charges on accessory to murder are brought.
Bringing formal charges, a process similar to a US grand jury indictment, would take another two months, Ms Krauth said.
In the meantime, a doctor has confirmed Lipschis' health remains good enough for him to be kept in detention.
Lipschis is No4 on the Simon Wiesenthal Centre's most wanted Nazis list
Read more: Alleged Nazi SS Auschwitz Guard, 93, Arrested