The coffin of Nazi war criminal Erich Priebke has been taken to a military airport near Rome after a funeral was halted following angry protests.
Italian officials said contacts had been made with Germany, amid media reports that Priebke’s body could be flown there.
Priebke died under house arrest last week. He had been jailed for life over the killing of more than 300 civilians.
A funeral in Albano Laziale, south of Rome, was called off on Tuesday.
A senior official in the Rome province, Giuseppe Pecoraro, said it was hoped the situation would be resolved on Wednesday.
“We have initiated contacts with Germany,” he was quoted as saying by Italian news agency Ansa.
“It’s not in my remit to decide on a cremation or a place of burial, but we are working to resolve the situation according to what is most suitable.”
Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino said Italian authorities were in touch with the German ambassador.
Both Argentina – where Priebke lived for nearly 50 years before being extradited to Italy – and Priebke’s hometown in Germany have previously refused to take the body.
Priebke died on Friday, aged 100.
wirestory
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