54. The Nuremberg Trial was a highly noble idea corrupted by very dirty politics. Enormous and horrific war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed during World War II so it was vital to bring the perpetrators to justice – to make sure that such monstrous crimes never happen again
55. Unfortunately, the Nuremberg Trial did not serve as deterrent as similar crimes continued to be committed (some were committed right during the Nuremberg Trial)
56. During World War II, both Axis and Allied powers committed heinous war crimes and crimes against humanity. But only German war criminals were tried, convicted and executed – a typical example of “victors’ justice”.
57. Because all belligerents in Second World War committed heinous war crimes, in the Nuremberg courtroom Andrei Chikatilo, Jack the Ripper and Ted Bundy tried, convicted and executed Fritz Haarmann and Peter Küerten – right when Chikatilo continued to commit serial mass murders
58. The prosecution and the judges in Nuremberg violated just about every fundamental principle of criminal justice and due process. Consequently, although de-facto some of the defendants were, indeed, guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity, de-jure all Nuremberg defendants are not guilty. Not innocent, obviously – just legally not guilty
59. Another famous trial of a Nazi war criminal – the famous “Eichmann trial” held in Jerusalem in 1961 fared way better in terms of criminal justice and due process. However, it still violated the fundamental principle of objectivity – the victims can not try the criminal. Consequently, although de-facto Adolf Eichmann is obviously guilty of mass murder of Jews, de-jure he is, alas, not guilty.
The Essential Guide to Nazi Germany 