Austria Thanks Italy for Nazi War Criminal’s Release

Austian Chancellor Fred Sinowatz Saturday thanked Italian Prime Minister Bettino Craxi for allowing the early release of Nazi war criminal Walter Reder, a former SS officer, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment in 1951 for organizing the massacre of hundreds of Italian civilians during World War II.

Sinowatz emphasized in his message that Austria abhors and condemns war crimes, a spokesman in the chancellor’s office said.

Reder’s early release from an Italian prison and his return to his native Austria Jan. 24 caused an international furor, when Austrian Defense Minister Friedhelm Frischenschlager greeted Reder upon his arrival. He later apologized for his action.

An Italian military tribunal decided in 1980 to reduce Reder’s sentence and permit his release in July of this year. He was released last month in response to repeated appeals for his freedom on health grounds. Reder, 69, who lost his left arm during the war, is said to be suffering from a number of ailments.

On Saturday, Reder left the army barracks in the Vienna suburb of Baden where he had been staying since his return to Austria. A Defense Ministry spokesman said Reder was “a free man who will be kept under supervision in accordance with agreements with the Italian government.”

Last week, the Social Affairs ministry said Reder would receive a monthly pension of $353, which includes a war invalid payment and old-age supplement.