Cold-case investigation names surprise suspect in Anne Frank's betrayal

[canetoad]

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -A six-year cold case investigation into the betrayal of Anne Frank has identified a surprising suspect in the mystery of how the Nazis found the hiding place of the famous diarist in 1944.

Anne and seven other Jews were discovered by the Nazis on Aug. 4 of that year, after they had hid for nearly two years in a secret annex above a canal-side warehouse in Amsterdam. All were deported and Anne died in the Bergen Belsen camp at age 15.

A team that included retired U.S. FBI agent Vincent Pankoke and around 20 historians, criminologists and data specialists identified a relatively unknown figure, Jewish notary Arnold van den Bergh, as a leading suspect in revealing the hideout.

Some other experts emphasised that the evidence against him was not conclusive.

Investigating team member Pieter van Twisk said the crucial piece of new evidence was an unsigned note to Anne’s father Otto found in an old post-war investigation dossier, specifically naming Van den Bergh and alleging he passed on the information.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-netherlands-anne-frank-betrayal-idUSKBN2JR0JM

[Raine]

1. 60 Minutes had this on their Sunday show ... it was really interesting

it seems likely but still leaves doubts and no real proof.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. Did you see the Overtime segment? I agree this was a really interesting report!

Anne Frank's betrayal: Investigating other suspects - 60 Minutes Overtime

A look at three different people suspected of leading police to the Franks’ secret annex in Amsterdam—and why investigators crossed them off their list. 01/16/2022.

[Raine]

5. Yes I watched the one about the other suspects and the one

with the three concentration camp survivors, that one brought me to tears.

[Rhiannon12866]

6. That was certainly a tear jerker, but it would be pretty amazing if they could solve this

After so many decades. And it's also pretty amazing that this young girl who tragically died so young so long ago is now a household name.

[left-of-center2012]

2. Reading the linked article ...

The accused person is just one of several possibilities.
It is not conclusive.

[msfiddlestix]

9. True it isn't conclusive, but I did find the rationalization for discounting a suspect for being ...

"out of town" when it happened, flies in the face of basic mode of operations Nazi's deployed expertly. .

[Rhiannon12866]

3. K&R! incredible if they could solve this now! And here's the 60 Minutes report that Raine mentioned:

Who betrayed Anne Frank and her family? - 60 Minutes

A retired FBI special agent and a team of investigators believe they’ve solved one of the world’s most well-known and tragic cold cases. Jon Wertheim reports.




Anne Frank's betrayal: Investigating other suspects - 60 Minutes Overtime

A look at three different people suspected of leading police to the Franks’ secret annex in Amsterdam—and why investigators crossed them off their list. 01/16/2022.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. "evidence against him was not conclusive."

This is the part many will miss, so I am afraid this will evolve into more of "see, the Jews did this to themselves!" Yes, there were bad Jews during the Holocaust, but it doesn't take away from the fact that most of the victims were Jews and most, almost all, of the perpetrators were NOT Jews!

[druidity33]

8. Bad Jews?

Probably more likely, it was Jews put in impossible situations with life and death consequences. I say they were all victims... "bad" or not. Sure there were a few crazies... kinda like Black Republicans, but you're right in that it's not indicative.

[Iggo]

10. See? It was Jews!

Not this shit again.

[left-of-center2012]

11. Article says he is one of four possible suspects. n/t

[crickets]

12. K&R for the post and the discussion.