Court upholds Germany's immunity appeal

The International Court of Justice has upheld Germany's appeal against Italy on compensation for Nazi war crime victims. The court, based in The Hague, Netherlands, determined Italy "failed to recognize the immunity recognized by international law" for the crimes, ANSA reported. In confirming that Germany was immune from being sued in foreign courts by victims of crimes committed during war, the international court also ordered compensation orders be voided. Germany appealed to the court in 2008 following two Italian court decisions that ordered Berlin to pay compensation to 12 Italians who were taken prisoner by Nazi forces and deported to Germany for slave labor and pay damages to the families of nine civilians killed by German soldiers during World War II. In both cases, the Italian judges rejected Germany's claims that it was exempt from financial responsibility for crimes committed by Nazi soldiers under accords drawn up in 1947 and 1961.