AN OPEN LETTER: Help the John Demjanjuk defense
Dear Friends:
John Demjanjuk is free, but his case is not yet over. The U.S. Justice Department is using every means at its disposal to get him out of the country. Attorney General Janet Reno, under pressure from special interest groups, tried to convince the judges and courts to rule against Mr. Demjanjuk. Michael Warder of the Rockford Institute describes the case of John Demjanjuk as "the trial of the century." Demjanjuk has been bravely trying to adapt to his newly regained yet tenuous freedom, but a great struggle lies ahead of him - and for us, too.
After coming this far in his defense, we cannot permit the case to slip back for a lack of trying or a lack of funds. We need your help in order to continue.
On a brighter note, we must admit that the last half year has been the most rewarding in Mr. Demjanjuk's 17-year-long ordeal - culminating in a reunion with his family in the U.S.A. He sends his gratitude and appreciation to all who helped and looks forward to the day when all of the turmoil and endless legal proceedings will be far behind him. He is recovering at home - despite threats on his life and continuous daily demonstrations by Jewish protesters in front of his home in Seven Hills, Ohio. Thanksgiving was a special event this year because it was the first time that the family was together in many years. It was heartwarming to see John Demjanjuk getting acquainted with his grandchildren and them calling him "Dido" for the first time.
To update the Demjanjuk case: On November 17, 1993, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in a unanimous decision found that the U.S. Justice Department fraudulently withheld evidence that would have helped John Demjanjuk to defend himself against charges that he was "Ivan the Terrible." Despite intense lobbying by special interest groups, the appeals court in its ruling found that federal prosecutors withheld crucial evidence from the Demjanjuk defense. The three-judge panel further stated that if the evidence, which pointed to Marchenko as the notorious "Ivan," had been made available to his defense, John Demjanjuk would not have been sent to Israel in 1986, where he was tried, convicted and sentenced to death in 1988. His conviction and death sentence were ultimately overturned by the Israeli Supreme Court on July 29, 1993, and he re-entered the United States on September 22, 1993.
Had the Justice Department's Office of Special Investigations not deceived the U.S. courts, John Demjanjuk, his family and the entire Ukrainian community would not have been subjected to the life-shattering nightmare they endured for such a long time. Although it was cited for clear-cut prosecutorial misconduct, the Justice Department has vowed to do everything in its power to deport Mr. Demjanjuk again. We are prepared to challenge and block this attempt.
Five years ago, in April 1988, we filed a suit on behalf of John Demjanjuk in U.S. federal court alleging governmental fraud in the denaturalization and deportation proceedings. We have been asking the court to reinstate Mr. Demjanjuk's U.S. citizenship and vacate the deportation order. In order to do this, we are currently seeking a law firm or an attorney willing to represent John Demjanjuk pro bono - cost-free, since we have no money.
Meanwhile, our continuation in the struggle depends on your generosity. Please continue to help us. Tell our story and give this letter to your friends and acquaintances so that we might widen the base of our support. Please send your contributions to:
or to:
We are thankful to you and to many others who have given us a chance to right the wrongs and to bring justice where it was once denied. Wishing you and yours God's blessings, health, peace and fulfillment, and with warmest personal regards and gratitude, we remain.
Most sincerely yours,
Ed Nishnic
John Demjanjuk, Jr.
Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, December 26, 1993, No. 52, Vol. LXI
| Home Page |