ROME, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Italian and German officials offer differing accounts of what will happen to the body of Nazi war criminal Erich Priebke, who died last week in Rome.
Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino said Wednesday the city was in discussions with the German authorities about the disposition of Priebke's body, but sources at the German Embassy have denied receiving a formal request from Rome officials or the Italian government, ANSA reported.
"The prefect of Rome and the Italian government are in talks with the German embassy in Rome," Marino said, despite the denial.
Priebke was 100 when he died Friday while under house arrest for his role in the massacre of 335 civilian men and boys, including 75 Jews, at the Ardeatine caves outside Rome in 1944. The slaughter was in retaliation for a partisan attack in which 33 German soldiers were killed.
The funeral for the unrepentant former SS officer in Albano Laziale was abandoned following clashes between protesters and right-wing protesters.
A far-right extremists gave a Fascist salute while protesters shouted ''murderer'' and demonstrated against the funeral of the Nazi war criminal, ANSA said. The funeral was conducted by the breakaway, ultra-traditionalist Catholic organization, the Lefebvrians.
Priebke's birthplace, the German town of Hennigsdord, said Monday it would not accept the body for burial.
