The head of Rome's Jewish community and a TV crew spent a horrifying night in Auschwitz on Tuesday after being locked inside, following the official ceremony held there commemorating 70 years since the camp's liberation. Riccardo Pacifici, the head of Rome's Jewish community, was trapped inside the infamous death camp alongside journalist David Parenzo and three members of an Italian film crew, according to Italy's ANSA news agencyThey were at the site filming a live episode for the Italian TV show Matrix and had already acquired the necessary authorization to film there.
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— Riccardo Pacifici (@riccardpacifici) January 27, 2015
"The crime is not "intrusion" but exiting without waiting for Auschwitz security, who was already gone!! There are three ranks of Police here," Pacifici wrote as more and more police officers arrived at the scene.Il reato non è "intrusione' ma essere usciti senza aspettare la sicurezza di Auschwitz che era sparita!! Vi sono tre gradi di Polizia
— Riccardo Pacifici (@riccardpacifici) January 27, 2015
Hours later, Italian diplomats managed to secure the group's release from police custody and the crew quickly headed back to Rome.Pacifici later wrote a message of gratitude to Italy's president Pietro Grasso, saying "Thank you to president @PietroGrasso for his kind call of solidarity after my harsh experience at Auschwitz."Grazie al presidente @PietroGrasso per la sua cortese e affettuosa telefonata di solidarietà dopo mia brutta esperienza ad Auschwitz .
— Riccardo Pacifici (@riccardpacifici) January 29, 2015