Greece has secured a preliminary agreement to purchase a series of World War II-era photographs depicting the execution of 200 Greek political prisoners by Nazi forces, after the images surfaced for online auction in Belgium. The acquisition marks a significant step in preserving a painful chapter of Greek history and ensuring access to crucial visual evidence of wartime atrocities.
The photos, which demonstrate the final moments of the prisoners before their deaths on May 1, 1944, at the Kaisariani Shooting Range in Athens, were offered for sale on eBay earlier this month, sparking outrage and a swift response from the Greek government. According to reports, the collector, Tim de Craene, has withdrawn the photos from sale following the agreement with the Greek Culture Ministry.
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni announced the preliminary agreement on Friday, following a visit by experts to Belgium to authenticate the images. “Experts sent by the culture ministry to Belgium to examine the photos found they were part of a much larger collection of images taken by Wehrmacht Lieutenant Hermann Heuer while he was stationed in Greece in 1943-44 during the Nazi occupation of the country,” the Independent reported. The team verified the authenticity of the entire collection, which includes 262 photos and related documents.
The photographs depict the prisoners being led to their deaths, with some looking directly at the camera. The execution at Kaisariani was one of the most brutal acts committed during the Nazi occupation of Greece and remains a deeply sensitive topic for many Greeks. The Associated Press noted that the images are the only photographic evidence of the event that has come to light.
The Greek government is now working to finalize the details of the purchase and ensure the photos are made publicly accessible. GreekReporter.com stated that the Hellenic Parliament and the President Nikitas Kaklamanis have agreed the photos will be housed in the Hellenic Parliament once acquired. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and researchers have already begun efforts to identify individuals depicted in the photographs.
The move to reclaim these images underscores Greece’s commitment to preserving its wartime history and honoring the memory of those who suffered during the Nazi occupation. The case highlights the ongoing efforts to recover and protect cultural heritage lost or displaced during times of conflict.
