Prefer Jewish News on Google
Teens who wrote names on Auschwitz gate sentenced
A Polish court handed a one-year suspended term and a fine after the two vandalised the site
A Polish court has handed one-year suspended prison terms and fined two Portuguese teenagers who wrote their names on a gate of the former Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.
A lawyer for the pair, aged 17 and 18, said they regret and have apologised for putting their names and the date on the red brick gate of Birkenau, part of the Auschwitz complex.
The teenagers were there on July 28 while attending a world youth meeting with Pope Francis in Poland.
Under Polish law, any damage to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is a crime.
One of the teenagers used a pen to inscribe his name, the other a stone.
Defence lawyer Marcin Surowiec said he plans to appeal against the sentences because his clients did not damage the gate.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
