Maurice Papon (September 3, 1910 – February 17, 2007) was a former official of the French Vichy government who collaborated with Nazi Germany in World War II and was in charge of the Paris police during the Paris massacre of 1961. After the war ended, he hid his role in the Vichy government and went on to have a successful career in politics until the emergence of details about his past led to his trial and conviction for crimes against humanity in 1997 to 1998. September 3 is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1910 (MCMX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Sunday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD (or CE) era. ... For other uses, see Vichy (disambiguation). ... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000,000 Total dead: 50,000,000 Military dead: 8,000,000 Civilian dead: 4,000,000 Total dead 12,000,000 World War II (abbreviated WWII), or the Second World War, was a worldwide conflict... Plaque on the façade of the Prefecture of Police, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Paris The Prefecture of Police (French: Préfecture de Police), headed by the Prefect of Police (Préfet de Police), is an agency of the Government of France which provides the police... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... A crime against humanity is a term originating in Western system international law that refers to acts of persecution or any large scale atrocities against a body of people, as being the criminal offence above all others. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ...

Early years

Papon was born in the Seine-et-Marne region of northern France. The son of a solicitor-turned-industrialist, he studied law, psychology and sociology at university. Seine-et-Marne is a French département, named after the Seine and the Marne rivers, and located in the Île-de-France région. ... A solicitor is a type of lawyer in many common law jurisdictions, such as the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Republic of Ireland, Australia New Zealand and Canada, but not the United States (in the United States the word has a quite different meaning—see below). ...

After entering public service at the age of twenty, the ambitious and intelligent Papon was quickly promoted. In 1942, he took over the powerful position of General-Secretary of the Prefecture of the Gironde region in southwestern France, under the collaborationist Vichy government. A civil servant or public servant is a civilian career public sector employee working for a government department or agency. ... The term prefecture (from the Latin Praefectura) indicates the office, seat, territorial circonscription of a Prefect; consequentally, like that word, is its applied in English in relation to actual Prefects, whose title is just that (or the forms it takes in other, especially Romance, languages), in the broadest sense in... Gironde is a département in the southwest of France named after the Gironde Estuary. ...

World War II and later career

During World War II, Papon served as a senior police official in the Vichy regime. He was the number two official in the Bordeaux region and supervisor of its Service for Jewish Questions. With authority over Jewish affairs, Papon regularly collaborated with Nazi Germany's Schutzstaffel (SS) Corps, responsible for the extermination of Jews. Under his command, approximately 1,560 Jewish men, women and children were deported. The majority were sent directly to detention camps at Drancy, outside Bordeaux, and then to Auschwitz or similar concentration camps.^{[citation needed]} Few survived. Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000,000 Total dead: 50,000,000 Military dead: 8,000,000 Civilian dead: 4,000,000 Total dead 12,000,000 World War II (abbreviated WWII), or the Second World War, was a worldwide conflict... New city flag (traditional tri-crescent) City coat of arms Motto: The fleur-de-lis alone rules over the moon, the waves, the castle, and the lion Location Coordinates Time Zone CET (GMT +1) Administration Country France Région Aquitaine Département Gironde (33) Intercommunality Urban Community of Bordeaux Mayor... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... The double-Sig Rune SS insignia. ... Auschwitz, in English, commonly refers to the Auschwitz concentration camp complex built near the town of Oświęcim, by Nazi Germany during World War II. Rarely, it may refer to the Polish town of Oświęcim (called by the Germans Auschwitz) itself. ... Prior to and during World War II Nazi Germany maintained concentration camps (Konzentrationslager or KZ) throughout the territory it controlled. ...

By mid-1944, when it was clear that the war was turning against the Germans, Papon began to inform on the Nazis to the Resistance—for which he was later to be decorated with the treasured "Carte d'Ancien Combattant de la Resistance". The French Resistance is the name used for resistance movements during World War II which fought the German occupation of France and the collaborationist Vichy regime, and was a vital and some say decisive factor in the defeat of Hitler and the Nazi revolution. ...

After the war, he managed to hide his wartime activities, and went on to a career as the chief (Prefet) of Paris police until 1967. During this period, the French Legion of Honour was bestowed on him by the president, Charles de Gaulle. From 1967 to 1968, he was president of the company Sud Aviation. From 1968 to 1971, he was treasurer of the Gaullist Party. He served as Budget Minister under Prime Minister Raymond Barre and President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing from 1978 to 1981. City flag City coat of arms Motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur (Latin: Tossed by the waves, she does not sink) Paris Eiffel tower as seen from the esplanade du Trocadéro. ... Chiang Kai-sheks Légion dhonneur. ... Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle ( ) (22 November 1890 – 9 November 1970), in France commonly referred to as Général de Gaulle, was a French military leader and statesman. ... Sud Aviation was a French state-owned aircraft manufacturer, originating from the merger of SNCASE (Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Sud-Est) and SNCASO (Société Nationale de Constructions Aéronautiques du Sud-Ouest) on March 1, 1957. ... In France the Gaullist Party is usually used to refer to the largest party professing to be Gaullist. ... The Prime Minister of France (Premier ministre de la France) is the functional head of the Cabinet of France. ... Raymond Barre was born on April 12, 1924 in Saint Denis, the capital of the French island of La Réunion in the Indian Ocean. ... Valéry Marie René Giscard dEstaing [IPA: vÉ‘leÊ€i mÉ‘Ê€i ʀəne Ê’iskÉ‘Ê€ dÉ›stɛ̃] (born 2 February 1926 in Koblenz, Germany) is a French center-right politician who was President of the French Republic from 1974 until 1981. ...

During the Paris massacre of 1961, Papon was chief of the Paris police. On October 17, 1961, after a peaceful march organized by the Algerian National Liberation Front, a large number of Algerian civilians were killed in Paris by French police. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Préfet de Police is an official of the Government of France who supervises police and emergency services to Paris and the surrounding eight departments of Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-Saint-Denis, Seine-et-Marne, Val-de-Marne, Essonne, Yvelines and Val dOise, and has other security duties... October 17 is the 290th day of the year (291st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... The National Liberation Front , (Arabic: Jabhat al-TaḩrÄ«r al-WaÅ£anÄ«, French: Front de Libération Nationale aka FLN) is a socialist political party in Algeria. ...

The exact number of the dead remains unknown. The journalist Luc Einaudi (La Bataille de Paris, Paris: Seuil, 1991) asserted that as many as 200 Algeriens had been killed. A French government commission in 1998 claimed only 48 people died. The historian Jean-Paul Brunet (Police Contre FLN: Le drame d'octobre 1961, Paris: Flammarion, 1999) found satisfactory evidence for the murder of 31 Algerians, while suggesting that a number of up to 50 actual victims was credible. Current estimates are between 70 and 90 people. 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ...

Criminal conviction

Little by little, evidence of his responsibility in the Holocaust emerged, and throughout the 1980s he fought a string of legal battles. Charges were first brought in 1983, but in 1987 they were dropped because of legal technicalities. New charges were laid in 1988, accusing Papon of crimes against humanity. However in 1997, after Papon's defence, and 14 years of bitter legal wrangling, he was charged with complicity in crimes against humanity. This article is becoming very long. ... The 1980s refers to the years of 1980 to 1989. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A crime against humanity is a term originating in Western system international law that refers to acts of persecution or any large scale atrocities against a body of people, as being the criminal offence above all others. ...

The trial was the longest in French history. It had different meanings for different French people; for some, it was considered to be the last chance to confront their collaborationist history in a court room. By his arrogance, his contempt, his refusal to express regrets or remorse during and since the lawsuit, Papon drew contempt from many.

Papon was accused of ordering the arrest and deportation of 1,560 Jews, including children and the elderly, between 1942 and 1944. One of the main issues of the trial was to determine to what extent an individual should be held responsible in a chain of responsibility. Papon's lawyers argued that he was merely a mid-level official, not the person making decisions about whom to deport; his lawyers even argued that he in fact did the most good he could given the circumstances, ensuring that those deported were treated well while in his custody. However, the prosecution argued that the defense of following orders was not sufficient, and that Papon bore at least some of the responsibility for the deportations. However, they did recommend that he be given a 20-year prison term, as opposed to the sentence of life imprisonment, which is usually the norm for such crimes. Year 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime, nominally for the entire remaining life of the prisoner, but in fact for a period which varies between jurisdictions: many countries have a maximum possible period of time a prisoner may be incarcerated, or require the possibility of parole...

In his 36-minute final speech to the jury, Papon rarely evoked the victims of the Holocaust, but instead portrayed himself as a victim; of "the saddest chapter in French legal history."

Papon was convicted in 1998 and given a 10-year prison term, which was criticized by some for being too short. His lawyers filed an appeal before the Court of Cassation. As Papon had fled to Switzerland, his appeal was summarily denied because of the Court's practice of requiring persons convicted of crimes and sentenced to prison terms to give themselves up prior to the appeal. After Switzerland sent him back to France to serve his prison sentence, he was sent to La Santé jail on October 22, 1999. Papon was also stripped of all his decorations; under French law, people convicted of severe crimes cannot be members of the Legion of Honor. 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... The Court of Cassation (Cour de cassation in French) is the main court of last resort in France. ... La Santé Prison (French: Maison darrêt de la Santé) is a jail located in Paris, France. ... October 22 is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 70 days remaining. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... A list of famous prizes, medals and awards including cups, trophies, bowls, badges, state decorations etc. ...

He applied for release on the grounds of poor health in March 2000, but President Jacques Chirac denied the petition. He continued to fight legal battles while in prison, taking his denied appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, where he argued the French court's denial of his appeal on a technicality (rather than on the merits of the case) constituted a violation of his right to appeal his conviction. The Court agreed in July 2002, admonishing the Court of Cassation and awarding Papon FF429,192 (approx. €65,400) in legal costs, but no damages. 2000 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December This is a timeline for events in March, 2000. ... Jacques René Chirac (born November 29, 1932 in Paris) is a French politician and the current President of the French Republic. ... European Court of Human Rights building in Strasbourg The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), often referred to informally as the Strasbourg Court, was created to systematise the hearing of human rights complaints against States Parties to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by... July 2002 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December // Events See also: Afghanistan timeline July 2002 July 31, 2002 The Foreign Relations Committee of the United States Senate begins hearings on the proposed invasion of Iraq The Stock Market continues its recovery from the Stock... French Franc. ... ISO 4217 Code EUR User(s) European Union: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Republic of Ireland, Italy (except Campione dItalia), Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. ...

However, Papon's lawyers had meanwhile been pursuing a separate appeal in France, petitioning for his release under the terms of a March 2002 law that provided for the release of ill and elderly prisoners to receive outside medical care. His doctors affirmed that Papon, by this time 92 years old, was essentially incapacitated, so he became the second person released under the terms of the law, leaving jail on September 18, 2002, less than 3 years into his sentence. 2002 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December A timeline of events in the news for March, 2002. ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ...

This angered the relatives of those having been deported by Papon to Auschwitz and other Nazi extermination camps, as well as those who fought to bring Papon to justice. Human rights activists and Israeli officials also expressed dismay, including Israeli government spokesman Avi Pazner – a former ambassador to France – saying he was personally "stunned and outraged" by the release of Papon. Jewish groups opposed his release because they said he showed no remorse for his actions. "It's a difficult decision for us Israelis to accept given the abominable crimes of which Papon was convicted," Israeli President Moshe Katzav said in 2002. Auschwitz, in English, commonly refers to the Auschwitz concentration camp complex built near the town of Oświęcim, by Nazi Germany during World War II. Rarely, it may refer to the Polish town of Oświęcim (called by the Germans Auschwitz) itself. ... Avi Pazner is an Israeli government spokesman. ... Moshe Katsav (Courtesy: Israeli Knesset) Moshe Katsav (משה קצב mosheh qaṣṣāḇ, born December 5, 1945) is the current President of Israel (since 2000). ...

In March 2004, the chancery of the Legion of Honor accused Papon of wearing his decoration (which he was stripped of after his conviction) illegally while being photographed for a press interview for Le Point. He was tried and fined €2,500. 2004 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December Deaths • 08 Abu Abbas • 20 Queen Juliana • 28 Peter Ustinov • 30 Alistair Cooke More March 2004 deaths Ongoing events EU Enlargement Exploration of Mars: Rovers Haiti Rebellion Israeli-Palestinian conflict Occupation of Iraq Same-sex marriage in... This article needs to be wikified. ...

In February 2007, Papon underwent what was thought to be successful heart surgery to correct problems with congestive heart failure [1], but died a few days later on February 17 at the age of 96. February 2007 is the second month of that year and has yet to occur. ... Congestive heart failure (CHF), also called congestive cardiac failure (CCF) or just heart failure, is a condition that can result from any structural or functional cardiac disorder that impairs the ability of the heart to fill with or pump a sufficient amount of blood throughout the body. ... February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Decorations

• French Legion of Honor (stripped)
• "Carte d'Ancien Combattant de la Resistance" (decoration for Resistance membership during World War II)

The French Resistance is the name used for resistance movements during World War II which fought the German occupation of France and the collaborationist Vichy regime, and was a vital and some say decisive factor in the defeat of Hitler and the Nazi revolution. ... Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000,000 Total dead: 50,000,000 Military dead: 8,000,000 Civilian dead: 4,000,000 Total dead 12,000,000 World War II (abbreviated WWII), or the Second World War, was a worldwide conflict...

Quotes

In a 36-minute final speech to the French war crimes jury

• "I say, be careful that France does not get hurt by this verdict outside our borders."
• "It would be a humiliation for our nation to be linked with Nazi Germany in its responsibility for Jewish genocide."
• "France should not be accused of this horror just because it took place on her soil."
• "Sometimes I ask myself, why me?"
• "What should one have done?"
• "[The prosecution has distorted the truth and] cast aside the law to obey higher orders."
• "This is what is called a political trial."
• "Staying in one's post sometimes takes more courage than resigning."
• "I am either guilty or innocent! It's all or nothing."

See also

• Klaus Barbie
• Paul Touvier
• Serge Klarsfeld

Klaus Barbie in Army NCO Uniform. ... Paul Touvier (April 3, 1915 - July 17, 1996) was the only Frenchman to be convicted of war crimes against humanity. ... Serge (born September 17, 1935 in Bucharest, Romania) and Beate (born February 13, 1939 in Berlin, Germany) Klarsfeld are called Nazi hunters for bringing Klaus Barbie and others to justice. ...

External links

• TRIAL : Maurice Papon's trial
• Decision by the chancellor of the Legion of Honor acknowledging Papon's condemnation and the stripping of his decoration - in French