ROME - The Mayor of Rome, Ignazio Marino, and the Chief of Police, Fulvio Della Rocca, have refused to grant permission for the funeral or burial of Nazi war criminal Erich Priebke.

 

The 100-year-old former SS officer died on Friday at his residence in Rome where he was serving a life sentence of house arrest. 

 

On March 24, 1944, Mr Priebke was part of the massacre at the Ardeatine Caves, which took place just outside of Rome. In all, 335 Italian men and boys were murdered in retaliation to an attack against Nazi security forces. Mr Priebke had fled to South America after World War II and lived in hiding for nearly 50 years. He was extradited to Italy in 1995 where he stood trial for his crimes.

 

His death ignited massive outcry from many communities throughout Rome, most specifically from the Jewish community. Priebke's lawyer, Paolo Gianchini, had intended to hold the funeral service in public in Rome, however city officials have prevented that from occurring. Even the Roman vicar to Pope Francis, Cardinal Agostino Vallini, has prohibited any church in Rome from holding a funeral for the former Nazi. Signor Gianchini was unhappy with the efforts to block the funeral, however has decided to "have a private religious ceremony." He is still facing difficulties in securing a location as public officials throughout Italy continue to protest any ceremony for a former Nazi.