Hitler waxwork attack man fined

The Hitler waxwork had only just gone on display when it was attacked

A court in Germany has fined a man 900 euros (£800, $1,200) for ripping the head off a waxwork model of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Frank Lachner, 42, damaged the model after pushing past guards when it was displayed at a Berlin museum last year.

Mr Lachner, an ex-policeman, said he had been protesting against the presence of the waxwork 500m (500yds) from a Holocaust memorial.

The museum said the waxwork portrayed a key historical figure.

Now restored, its is back on display behind a glass wall.

It had provoked strong debate in Germany even before it went on display.

Some critics said it was tasteless to put a replica of Hitler on show.

In Germany it is illegal to display Nazi symbols or artworks regarded as glorifying Hitler.

Correspondents say the decision to allow the waxwork was seen as the latest move in the gradual easing of official sensitivity over the Nazis more than 60 years after the end of World War II.