German 84-Year-Old Pensioner Hid World War II Tank on His Property, Court Rules

A court in Germany has issued a ruling against an 84-year-old pensioner who hid a World War II tank on his property, according to local media.

In 2015, German law enforcement conducted a search of the pensioner’s property in the town of Haikendorf in the Schleswig-Holstein state, where they discovered a 'Panther' type tank, lacking tracks, as well as anti-aircraft artillery, rifles, ammunition, pistols, and other weapons and munitions, all belonging to the World War II era. The military had to be called in to confiscate the armory.

On August 2, the court found the 84-year-old pensioner guilty of illegal possession of weapons and sentenced him to two years and two months of probation, along with a fine of a quarter of a million euros. The court also mandated that he sell the tank and other weapons and munitions to collectors or donate them to museums within two years. It is already known that an American museum has expressed interest in the tank.