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Auschwitz guard Reinhold Hanning speaks about murder of 170,000 people for the first time Auschwitz guard Reinhold Hanning speaks about murder of 170,000 people for the first time
(35 minutes later)
A 94-year-old former Auschwitz guard has spoken openly about the murder of at least 170,000 people at the death camp. A 94-year-old former Auschwitz guard has spoken openly about the murder of at least 170,000 people at the death camp. 
Reinhold Hanning is accused of overseeing the selection of prisoners who were sent either for labour or to the gas chambers.Reinhold Hanning is accused of overseeing the selection of prisoners who were sent either for labour or to the gas chambers.
He told the court in Germany he regretted being part of the "criminal organisation" which killed so many people and caused such suffering. He told the court in Germany he regretted being part of the "criminal organisation" that killed so many people and caused such suffering.
"I'm ashamed that I knowingly let injustice happen and did nothing to oppose it," the former Nazi SS officer said, while seated in a wheelchair in the court in Detmold."I'm ashamed that I knowingly let injustice happen and did nothing to oppose it," the former Nazi SS officer said, while seated in a wheelchair in the court in Detmold.
Holocaust survivors have pleaded with the accused to break his silence in what could be one of the last Holocaust court cases heard in Germany.Holocaust survivors have pleaded with the accused to break his silence in what could be one of the last Holocaust court cases heard in Germany.
Reading a statement to the court, he said: "I want to tell you that I deeply regret having been part of a criminal organisation that is responsible for the death of many innocent people, for the destruction of countless families, for misery, torment and suffering on the side of the victims and their relatives". Reading a statement to the court, he said: "I want to tell you that I deeply regret having been part of a criminal organisation that is responsible for the death of many innocent people, for the destruction of countless families, for misery, torment and suffering on the side of the victims and their relatives.
"I have remained silent for a long time, I have remained silent all of my life," he added.  "I have remained silent for a long time. I have remained silent all my life," he added. 
Hanning was sent to Auschwitz after being wounded in battle and having his request to rejoin the front had been rejected twice.  Hanning was sent to Auschwitz after being wounded in battle, and having his request to rejoin the front had been rejected twice. 
"I've tried to repress this period for my whole life. Auschwitz was a nightmare, I wish I had never been there," he said, in a statement read by his lawyer. "I've tried to repress this period for my whole life. Auschwitz was a nightmare; I wish I had never been there," he said, in a statement read by his lawyer.
"People were shot, gassed and burned. I could see how corpses were taken back and forth or moved out."People were shot, gassed and burned. I could see how corpses were taken back and forth or moved out.
"I could smell burning bodies; I knew corpses were being burned," the statement added."I could smell burning bodies; I knew corpses were being burned," the statement added.
The former SS sergeant denies he was involved in the mass killings in the infamous camp, maintaining he was stationed in the part of the camp where the gassing of victims did not actually take place.The former SS sergeant denies he was involved in the mass killings in the infamous camp, maintaining he was stationed in the part of the camp where the gassing of victims did not actually take place.
Auchwitz survivor and co-plaintiff Leon Schwarzbaum, 95, said: "I accept his apology but I can't forgive him." Auschwitz survivor and co-plaintiff Leon Schwarzbaum, 95, said: "I accept his apology, but I can't forgive him."
He said Hanning should have recounted everything that happened in Auschwitz and "what he took part in".He said Hanning should have recounted everything that happened in Auschwitz and "what he took part in".
Although Hanning is not charged with having been directly involved in any killings in the camp, prosecutors accuse him of facilitating the slaughter in his capacity as a guard.Although Hanning is not charged with having been directly involved in any killings in the camp, prosecutors accuse him of facilitating the slaughter in his capacity as a guard.
A precedent for such charges was set in 2011, when Auschwitz guard Ivan Demjanjuk was convicted.A precedent for such charges was set in 2011, when Auschwitz guard Ivan Demjanjuk was convicted.
Last year, a German court sentenced Oskar Groening, 94, to jail for four years over his role in the murder of 300,000 people in the death camp.Last year, a German court sentenced Oskar Groening, 94, to jail for four years over his role in the murder of 300,000 people in the death camp.
A third man, who was a member of the Nazi SS guard team at the concentration camp, died at the age of 93 earlier this month, days before his trial was due to start.A third man, who was a member of the Nazi SS guard team at the concentration camp, died at the age of 93 earlier this month, days before his trial was due to start.
More than six million people, mostly Jews, were killed by the Nazis during the Holocaust - their "Final Solution to the Jewish Question". More than six million people, mostly Jews, were killed by the Nazis during the Holocaust – their "Final Solution to the Jewish Question".
Other victims included gypsies, homosexuals, the disabled and those considered to be political opponents. Other victims included gypsies, homosexuals, the disabled and those considered to be political opponents. 
A verdict is expected on 27 May.A verdict is expected on 27 May.
Additional reporting by agenciesAdditional reporting by agencies