The Solms Baruth Office: The grandson of the anti-Hitler conspirator reactivates a case of land restitution

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Press Release Power
Jul 19, 2019, 19:01 ET

LONDON, July 20, 2019 / PRNewswire / -

Files discovered by chance in the State Archives form the basis for a new appeal
The scientific analysis of the chemical ink of the "destruction orders" date documented within the period eligible for restitution
Possibility of similar claims if the opinion is favorable
As the celebrations of the failed assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944 approach, the grandson of a conspirator in the plot 'Valkyrie' has filed a claim for the restitution of the land.

Prince Friedrich zu Solms Baruth escaped the Nazi execution but was arrested on July 21, 1944, imprisoned and tortured for 9 months for his participation in the attempted murder. He signed a document of "power of disposition" in March 1945 while in prison, transferring his 17,300 hectares of land directly to Himmler. 

The German courts upheld the validity of the document "power of disposal" used by Himmler in a failed appeal in 2104 to return the land. 

Lawyers for Solms Baruth believe that newly discovered documents, improperly filed and found by chance in the German State Archives, are the key to resolving the case. An independent scientific analysis of the chemical ink of the "destruction orders" dates the documents within the period suitable for restitution. 

If the case is rejected again, the plaintiff will take it, with Lord Peter Goldsmith, QC , to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Lord Goldsmith said:  "In rejecting the restitution case in 2014, the courts dismissed hearing the testimony of the historian Sir Antony Beevor , among other experts, rejected the report of the British Intelligence Services confirming the arrest and confiscation as a result of the plot of 1944 and did not ask the government to present expert testimonies. "

The lawyers of Solms Baruth have estimated that 10-20% of the outstanding claims within the Brandenburg state archive could be attributed as possible new cases of "restitution" in regard to the actions carried out before May 1945 by the Nazi government (restitution laws do not apply to cases after May 1945).  

Plaintiff Frederick Solms Baruth said:  "Repairing this grave mistake was my grandfather's and my father's last wish. Fighting indifference and obfuscation is my mission and I will not rest until I see how justice is done. My dream is that this land be returned and return prosperity to the Baruth region through investment, reflection and care, to honor the memory of my grandfather. "Frederick Solms Baruth is available for interviews.

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SOURCE Press Release Power