Canada's parliament accidentally honored a 98-year-old Nazi. Now Poland may try to extradite him and bring him up on charges.

98-year-old Nazi Yaroslav Hunka honored in Canadian parliament
98-year-old Nazi Yaroslav Hunka stands as he receives an ovation after being accidentally honored in Canada's parliament.
  • Canada's parliament accidentally honored a 98-year-old former World War II Nazi soldier.
  • Yaroslav Hunka was introduced as a "Ukrainian hero and a Canadian hero" but it was later revealed that he fought for the Waffen-SS.
  • A Polish minister now says he's "taken steps" to extradite the elderly man.

A Polish minister said Tuesday that he has "taken steps" to start the extradition of a 98-year-old Nazi who was accidentally honored in Canada's parliament over the weekend.

Anthony Rota, the speaker of Canada's House of Commons, recognized Yaroslav Hunka last Friday as a "Ukrainian hero and a Canadian hero," adding that "we thank him for his service."

Hunka got two standing ovations from Canadian lawmakers and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — who delivered remarks at parliament that day — as he saluted and waved from the gallery. But not long after, it surfaced that Hunka fought for the Waffen-SS Galicia Division, a Nazi military unit, during World War II.

Rota subsequently apologized for inviting Hunka, who is his constituent, to parliament.

"I am deeply sorry I offended many with my gesture and remarks," the speaker said on Monday, according to CBC. "This initiative was entirely my own. I want to really tell you that the intention was not to embarrass this House."

Polish education minister Przemyslaw Czarnek described the events as "scandalous," writing on X that they "involved honoring, in the presence of President Zelenskyy," who is Jewish, "a member of the criminal Nazi SS Galizien formation."

"I have taken steps towards the possible extradition of this man to Poland," Czarnek added.

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