Walther Funk pleaded not guilty to the 4 counts of indictment with which he was charged: count 1 (concerted plan or conspiracy), count 2 (crimes against peace), count 3 (war crimes) and count 4 (crimes against humanity).
On 1st October 1946, Funk was found guilty of crimes against peace (count 2), since in his position as Economics Minister, it was he who issued the necessary directives to prepare for war. Funk was also found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity. By way of example, the gold taken from the Jews in the death camps was handed over directly to the Reichsbank which was governed by Funk.
On the other hand, Walther Funk was found not guilty of count 1.
Following this verdict, the Nuremberg International Military Tribunal sentenced Walther Funk to life imprisonment.
His appeal to the Control Council was rejected on 10 October 1946 .
Walther Funk was nevertheless released on 16 May 1957 for health reasons. He died on 31 May 1960 in Düsseldorf.
Trial Watch would like to remind its users that any person charged by national or international authorities is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
