‘We deeply regret it’: Madrid shop pulls Nazi experiment doctor figurine
'Depicting in a figure the idea that a Nazi Doctor is a cute or worthy subject to produce is a disgrace to the memory of the many innocent victims, including children.'
A miniature model maker in Madrid has apologised for a resin figurine resembling a Nazi experiment doctor, saying it “deeply regrets” marketing the product.
The 35mm doll called “Dr. Strudel” which carried a blade and syringe and was clad in breeches, dark leather boots and a visor cap marked with a skull and bones and a cross, was available online for €12.40 (£10.72).
But it was removed on Friday after Jewish News contacted the retailer Scale 75 for comment.
Other products on offer include models from different periods, as well as an RAF pilot with a pet bulldog, a German officer and a cigarette-smoking US tanker.
Mark Wilson, 58, a “keen modeller” from Barnsley in South Yorkshire, urged others to boycott the retailer earlier today.
“Depicting in a figure the idea that a Nazi Doctor is a cute or worthy subject to produce is a disgrace to the memory of the many innocent victims, including children,” he told Jewish News.
The retailer originally said on Facebook that it was “greatly sorry” the design “hurt some sensitivity [sic]” but added that its intention had been to represent “an obviously cruel and detestable character, as smoothly as possible.”
“The figure is not going to be withdrawn from the market because we consider that we are not doing apology of any kind [sic] or praising these types of characters,” the shop added.
But Scale 75 said in a statement on Friday: “As we have tried to smooth out the reference with the customers on Facebook, we strongly believe the response was tainted in translation.
“At no time has Scale 75 ever meant to promote or minimise the atrocities that have happened during WWII. We have seen how this character has offended our patrons and the Jewish Community.
“For that we deeply regret having let this item be announced to the market. Currently, not a single piece has been sold into the public and it is our decision that it will cancelled and removed from our product offerings and all social media.”
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