BERLIN — John Demjanjuk, who was convicted last year of serving as a Nazi death camp guard, is asking for German state financial help to sue the country's biggest-selling newspaper for alleged defamation.
Duesseldorf state court spokesman Ulrich Egger told The Associated Press on Thursday that Demjanjuk is complaining Bild newspaper’s website labeled him a "war criminal" and a "Nazi henchman" before he was actually convicted in May of 28,060 counts of accessory to murder.
A lower court granted Demjanjuk financial help to sue, but for a maximum of €5,000 ($6,400) in damages, ruling more couldn’t reasonably be expected. He’s now appealing that decision, saying he needs funding to sue for €25,000. Egger says it’s not clear when a ruling will be issued.
Demjanjuk’s family says he has no financial resources.
