Germany 'must pay WWII victims'

The killings took place as the Nazis were hunting for partisans

Italy's top court has ordered the German government to pay compensation to the families of Italian civilians killed by Nazi soldiers in 1944.

The Cassation Court said Berlin must pay one million euros (£787,000) to the relatives of nine victims of the massacre in the town of Civitella.

In all, 203 civilians were shot in revenge for an Italian partisan attack.

Germany argued it had immunity from being held financially responsible for Nazi crimes during World War II.

A lawyer representing the German government said Berlin had already paid reparations under international treaties with Italy.

The lawyer, Augusto Dossena, said Tuesday's ruling could ''open a Pandora's box'' of uncertainty in the international community.

"Germany will not pay because it does not want to recognise a verdict rejecting the immunity from prosecution which has been recognised by all the other countries where former Nazis have been sued," said Mr Dossena, quoted by Italy's Ansa news agency.

The call for compensation arose in connection with the trial of a former Nazi sergeant.

In 2006 an Italian lower court sentenced Max Josef Milde in absentia to life in jail for his involvement in the Civitella massacre.

The Cassation Court upheld the conviction against Milde, who now lives in Germany.