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Unclear when US Nazi suspect could be extradited

FILE - Undated file image shows the main gate of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz I, Poland, which was liberated by the Russians, January 1945. Writing over the gate reads: "Arbeit macht frei" (Work makes free - or work liberates). Johann Breyer, 89 faces possible extradition. A German court has charged him with aiding in the killing of 216,000 Jewish men, women and children during World War II. Breyer was arrested Tuesday outside his home in northeast Philadelphia. He has lived in the U.S. since 1952. Breyer has admitted he was an SS guard at Auschwitz in occupied Poland. (AP Photo\File)
FILE - Undated file image shows the main gate of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz I, Poland, which was liberated by the Russians, January 1945. Writing over the gate reads: "Arbeit macht frei" (Work makes free - or work liberates). Johann Breyer, 89 faces possible extradition. A German court has charged him with aiding in the killing of 216,000 Jewish men, women and children during World War II. Breyer was arrested Tuesday outside his home in northeast Philadelphia. He has lived in the U.S. since 1952. Breyer has admitted he was an SS guard at Auschwitz in occupied Poland. (AP Photo\File) FILE - Undated file image shows the main gate of the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz I, Poland, which was liberated by the Russians, January 1945. Writing over the gate reads: "Arbeit macht frei" (Work makes free - or work liberates). Johann Breyer, 89 faces possible extradition. A German court has charged him with aiding in the killing of 216,000 Jewish men, women and children during World War II. Breyer was arrested Tuesday outside his home in northeast Philadelphia. He has lived in the U.S. since 1952. Breyer has admitted he was an SS guard at Auschwitz in occupied Poland. (AP Photo\File)

By Associated Press 1 min read

BERLIN (AP) – Bavarian prosecutors say it’s too early to tell when an 89-year-old Nazi war crimes suspect could be extradited from the U.S. to Germany for trial.

Gerd Schaefer, the head prosecutor in the town of Weiden whose office leads the investigation, said Friday that suspect Johann Breyer will have the opportunity to fight the extradition request in the U.S. before he can be sent overseas.

Breyer was picked up from his Philadelphia home on Tuesday on a German warrant and ordered held without bail. The warrant was issued a year ago, but Schaefer said it took time to implement because it was tied in with the complicated extradition request.

Breyer is wanted on accessory to murder charges over allegations he served as an Auschwitz death camp guard. He denies the charges.