84-year-old German man convicted after keeping WW2 tank in basement

The 84-year-old, named only as Klaus-Dieter F. due to local privacy laws, kept the Panzer and the 88mm flak gun in a bunker under his home in Heikendorf, close to the northern city of Kiel. Klaus-Dieter admitted breaching the War Weapons Control Act and was handed a 14-month suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay 250,000 euros (£213,000). As well as the tank and cannon, he was also in possession of a torpedo, a mortar, 70 assault rifles and over 2,000 rounds of ammunition.

[trainsinkansas]

It was in his basement. It was a souvenir. Leave the man alone. Your punishment is absolutely ridiculous. No fine or jail time.

[mrlucky]

They should be charged with a crime for removing the tracks and dragging it on the rims

[vlajster]

i don't see anything wrong there! he even repainted it and there are no visible swastikas or nazi insignia at all. that tank is part of history and i hope it will stay in europe and be fully restored

[lexkroese]

Disgusting to trial an 84 man, sentice him 14 months in prison and pay 250.00! Are you nuts! Total idiots! If you would use your common sense, you would take the tank and other weapons from him and give them to museums. This man took care of it, looked after it. They should pay him!

[joe]

He paid for the tank.
He had a certificate from the government to prove the gun can't fire live rounds.
What's the problem?

[lucasroe]

They stole his tank. Now they jail him. Who is the real criminals here. Not the old man that is for sure.

[cynthiabauer]

victimless crime... he didn't hurt nor plan to hurt anyone. He collected a very cool historical object. But I guess "you'll own nothing and be happy" in this day and age...

[onebridge]

They just stole his private property. These museum pieces were no threat to the community.

[julestielens]

Poor old man. He’s just a collector. Would they think he would go to war?

[bcarroll]

Utterly ridiculous convicting this poor man. There are thousands of retired military vehicles and WW2 weapons in the UK owned by many collectors. Get a grip Germany.

[barrettson]

L Germany, the man hasn’t done anything. He deserves his tank.

[thetechlibrarian]

Didn't they recently give like 11 people involved in a gang rape a light sentence

[Pikachugamer-]

It disgusts me the disrespect that they took it from him, despite him owning it legally for all these years.

[hohenstaufen.]

This man is a hero and saved one of the greatest ww2 tanks in history.

[essiturbo]

Damit macht sich Deutschland mal wieder sowas von lächerlich.🤦🏻

[Alway]

Not one of the German court’s finest days……the poor guy has spent time, money and his effort and patience to keep an old World War Two tank in amazing condition.. it’s an engineering masterpiece!
I hope public opinion in Germany says the same as it appears people are saying here.
The poor guy should be commended not prosecuted!

[justme.]

I'm a German Jew and I'm very angry at this. What they have done to him is criminal.

[robertpapancsev]

Hope it will go to a museum, the man should be awarded to keep it in a mint condition.

[infantryshooter]

De-milled gun, no tracks, that's some fearsome "weapon of war"... 🤪
Well done for the Nanny State, keeping us safe from geriatric antique collectors.

[batuksri]

Shame the way that tank was dragged away as if the owner stopped paying instalments.