Erich Priebke, ex-SS convicted in notorious Nazi massacre in Rome, dies at 100

ROME – News reports say Erich Priebke, a former Nazi SS captain sentenced to life in prison for his role in one of the worst atrocities by German occupiers in Italy during World War II, has died.

The LaPresse news agency quoted Priebke’s lawyer Paolo Giachini as saying Priebke died Friday at age 100. Because of his age, Priebke had served his term under house arrest at Giachini’s home.

In 1994, Priebke was extradited to Italy from Argentina and put on trial for his role in the 1944 massacre outside Rome. Nazi forces killed 335 civilians to avenge an attack by resistance fighters that killed 33 members of a Nazi military police unit a day earlier.

Priebke admitted shooting two people and rounding up victims, but insisted he was only following orders.

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