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Auschwitz sign stolen 'by neo-Nazis'

The infamous "Arbeit macht frei" (work sets you free)" sign at the entrance to the Auschwitz concentration camp has been stolen in an audacious overnight raid provoking Jewish groups to condemn the theft as a "declaration of war".

Neo-Nazi groups were immediately blamed for the act described by police as "professionally planned", and which happened at three o'clock on Friday morning.

Investigators believe that at least two people were involved.

Police said that once the criminals had removed the sign they carried it some 400 metres before taking it through a hole cut in a fence. After that it was, apparently, loaded onto a vehicle but investigators are puzzled as to just how the thieves managed to remove the 16-foot long and heavy cast-iron sign without anybody noticing.

Read entire article at Telegraph (UK)