A family in Brandenburg, Germany, lived in their home for 85 years, but now that’s over. Because the property previously belonged to two Jewish women who were forced to sell by the Nazis, the house must now be returned.
The Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig decided that ownership would be transferred back to the Jewish Claims Conference (JCC). This puts an end to a long-standing legal dispute and the judgment is final.
The owners were murdered in Auschwitz
The property was originally owned by Jews Alice Donat and Helene Lindenbaum, who bought it in 1932 and operated a holiday home for Jewish children. In 1939 they were forced to sell by the National Socialist regime.
Both women were later murdered in Auschwitz. The current resident’s grandfather bought the property from a real estate agent in the same year.
The retransfer is based on the 1990 “Law on the Settlement of Unresolved Property Issues,” which regulates the losses suffered by Jewish victims of National Socialism in East Germany. In cases where the original owners were unable to make claims, the JCC acts as legal successor.
Resident: “My world is collapsing”
For the current resident, an 84-year-old woman, and her 61-year-old son, the decision means the loss of their home. “My world is falling apart,” the prosecutor said. “I’ve lived here all my life.” Her son explained: “We have nothing left. We don’t know where to go.’
Probably one of the last refund cases
However, the JCC offered the claimant a lifelong right of residence. It is still unclear how the transaction will actually take place. The family’s lawyer announced that he would await written reasons for the verdict and investigate a possible constitutional complaint.
The case is considered one of the last restitution cases in the context of Nazi injustice in Brandenburg – possibly even in the whole of Germany.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
