Alleged war criminal backed by Hitler Youth priest

A catholic priest who was formerly a Hitler Youth leader who fought for Nazi Germany has spoken out in defense of a man being investigated by Hungarian authorities for the alleged murder of a 18-year-old Jewish man in 1944. A former Hungarian soldier, Charles Zentai, now living in Australia, is accused of torturing and murdering an 18-year-old Jewish man, Peter Balasz, in Budapest in 1944. The 85 year old priest Father John Luemmen said that many 'fine men' served in Hitler's armies while being strongly opposed to the Nazi cause, adding that "I fought for Hitler, but I wasn't a Nazi" Speaking about Zentai, he said that he was a kind and gentle man whose faith would have made it impossible for him to torture and murder innocent people. "It's not possible for Charlie to be a Nazi," he said.