A lab analysis of a swastika-stamped bar of soap said to be made from Holocaust victims shows no human remains.
The beige bar, said to have been made during the Nazi era, made headlines in March when the owner of a Montreal curiosity shop put it up for sale and claimed it was made from the fat of Holocaust victims. The shop owner had said he bought it from a former soldier and that it was from Poland circa 1940.
Montreal police seized the item following complaints from Bnai B’rith Canada. The item was sent to a laboratory near Toronto, where it tested negative for both human and animal DNA.
“It’s just a regular bar of soap,” Montreal Police Inspector Paul Chablo told the Canadian Press.
Shop owner Abraham Botines was asking about $300 for the item. Police don’t plan to pursue any charges, and the soap was to be returned to the shop. — jta