The Prosecutor General’s Office has sent another case to the Supreme Court involving a deceased individual. SS Obersturmbannführer Hans Siegling, who died around 50 years ago, is to be tried. He is accused of genocide against the Belarusian people.
During the Second World War, beginning in November 1941, Siegling served in the 57th Schutzmannschaft Battalion and took part in anti-partisan operations Blitz, Kottbus, Hermann, and Otto. In 1944, he commanded a police brigade that was transferred to the SS. He later commanded the 30th SS Division Weissruthenische.
“According to the case materials, Siegling directly organized punitive operations and actions during which killings, including mass killings, were committed, along with the complete or partial destruction of 11 rural settlements.
In particular, he deprived of life through shootings with firearms and through hanging at least 1,706 people, including at least 238 knowingly underage children, as well as individuals in helpless condition and knowingly elderly persons.
He also attempted to kill at least 30 more people, causing some bodily injuries of varying severity, but was unable to complete his criminal actions due to circumstances beyond his control,” the Prosecutor General’s Office said.
This is the sixth genocide case involving charges against deceased persons, but it is the first in which the accused did not reside on the territory of the former USSR.
