German students pay tribute to the far right in Auschwitz concentration camp

A fourth-grade student from Germany was photographed with a far-right extremist gesture during a visit to the Auschwitz memorial, prompting a police investigation.

A spokesman for the Eastern Saxony Office of Schools and Education confirmed the incident on Monday. He said a report had been submitted to the police and an investigation was initiated.

The photo, taken on March 13, shows students from the city of Goriz on the Polish border, making the so-called white power tribute.

Unlike the Nazi tribute, in Germany, gestures common in extremist circles are not illegal.

The state office said the school’s leaders responded immediately and invited students and their parents to conduct disciplinary talks.

It said the students were condemned by the principal and assigned community services at workshops targeting people with disabilities.

The principal said the students understood what they did wrong.

The state office said it was unaware of further events with the school’s far-right extremist background.