Secret police files on Josef Mengele, the sadistic Nazi doctor known as the 'Angel of Death,' are set to be opened decades earlier than originally planned. The files had been sealed until 2071 on grounds of national security, but a legal challenge by historians has forced their early release.
Background on Mengele's Atrocities
Mengele served as a doctor in the Waffen SS at Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, where he conducted horrific experiments, primarily on Jewish and Romani victims. He was known for his cruel research on identical twins and other prisoners, often preserving heads and organs for further study at SS medical facilities. During the Nazi occupation of Poland, an estimated 1.1 million people died at Auschwitz, the vast majority of whom were Jews.
Escape and Later Life
After Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II, Mengele fled to Argentina under a false identity to avoid prosecution. He died from a stroke in 1976 in Brazil. However, there has long been speculation that he also spent time in Switzerland, despite an international arrest warrant being active at the time. Mengele's wife, Martha Maria, rented a flat in Zurich and applied for permanent residency, and historians believe Mengele may have visited for skiing holidays.
Historians' Quest for Access
Swiss historian Regula Bochsler discovered police files showing the Zurich apartment was under surveillance in 1961, with notes indicating an unknown man accompanied Martha Maria. However, when Bochsler sought related files from the Swiss Federal Archive, she was denied access, and the files were sealed until 2071, citing national security and protection of Mengele's extended family.
In 2025, historian Gerard Wettstein also tried to access the files and was refused. He told the BBC: 'It seemed ridiculous. As long as they are closed until 2071, it fuels conspiracy, everyone says they must have something to hide.' Wettstein challenged the decision in court, raising approximately £17,000 to fund the legal battle.
Change in Stance
The Swiss Federal Intelligence Service has now reversed its position. In a statement, the service said full transparency will take time and added: 'The appellant will be granted access to the file, subject to conditions and requirements yet to be defined.' It remains unclear how much information about Mengele will be revealed when the files are opened, but historians hope it will shed light on his activities in Switzerland and any potential collaboration with Swiss authorities.
