Wiesenthal Center And Targum Shlishi Welcome Extradition Request By Hungary For "Operation: Last Chance" Suspect Zentai

The Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Targum Shlishi Foundation today expressed "deep satisfaction" in the wake of the announcement that Hungary had submitted a request for the extradition of a suspected Hungarian Nazi war criminal currently residing in Australia, and called upon the Australian authorities to expedite legal action against Karoly (Charles) Zentai, who was discovered in Australia in the framework of "Operation: Last Chance," a joint project of both organizations.

In a statement issued today in Jerusalem by the Center’s chief Nazi-hunter Dr. Efraim Zuroff and Targum Shlishi’s founder and director Aryeh Rubin, the two organizations called upon Australian Justice Minister Chris Ellison and the Australian judicial authorities to ensure that the extradition process would proceed as quickly as possible within the framework of the law and the existent extradition treaty between the two countries.

According to Zuroff and Rubin: "The passage of time in no way diminishes the severity of the crimes committed during the Holocaust and the importance of holding the perpetrators of those crimes accountable. The extradition request submitted by Hungary creates an excellent opportunity for Australia to take successful legal action for the first time against a Nazi war criminal who, based on false or incomplete information, was able to illegally gain entry to Australia. Hungary has hereto taken all the necessary steps to achieve justice in this case, and now it is Australia’s obligation to do its share to help complete the process."

For more information call 00-972-50-7214156

www.operationlastchance.org