After gathering evidence over years of investigation into a Ukrainian man living in Minneapolis, a prosecutor has confirmed Monday that Poland plans to arrest and extradite Michael Karkoc, 98. As reported by CBS, he is to face charges of being a Nazi commander. It is suspected Karkoc ordered the deaths in World War II of 44 Polish citizens.
According to Robert Janicki, investigations into a U.S. citizen by the name of Michael K. have confirmed he was a Nazi commander, in charge of a unit of the Ukrainian Self Defense Legion, led by the SS. While the investigations were ongoing, Janicki did not release the surname – in keeping with privacy laws in Poland – but he now confirms 100 percent that Karkoc is the man in question.
That unit was accused of the burning of villages in Poland, as well as killing Polish civilians. Michael K. was later confirmed by the Associated Press to be Michael Karkoc. As reported by The Washington Post, Karkoc’s family has, however, denied he took part in the war crimes. Karkoc’s son, Andriy Karkoc stated there was nothing in the historic record to indicate his father took part in any war crime activity.
Court in Lublin, Poland to be asked to issue arrest warrant
National Remembrance Institute prosecutors have requested a regional court in the city of Lublin, Poland to issue the arrest warrant for Karkoc. Janicki said if the court grants this, Poland will then seek his extradition, as trial in absentia is not allowed in the country.
While Karkoc is 98 years of age, Janicki has stated that his age is no obstacle in bringing the former Nazi commander to justice, adding that as of today, Karkoc is their suspect. Karkoc stands accused of being complicit in the deaths of civilians in the villages of Wladyslawin and Chlaniow in July 1944. If convicted of the crimes, he could face life imprisonment.
Investigators confirm NE Mpls. man was once a Nazi; Poland seeking extradition. | https://t.co/bQ7uxi3RVO pic.twitter.com/RCImqsjaph
— WCCO - CBS Minnesota (@WCCO) March 13, 2017
Previous investigation into Karkoc launched in Germany
After stories were published by The Associated Press in 2013, where it was revealed Karkoc was a former commander in the SS-led unit involved in war crimes in Poland, prosecutors in Germany launched their own investigation.
While they had no doubts about Karkoc’s identity, investigators in Germany reportedly dropped their investigation after they received detailed medical documentation from a U.S. geriatric hospital that said Karkoc was not fit to stand trial.
