Sweden to extradite Auschwitz theft suspect

People walk through the gate, with the words ''Arbeit macht frei'' (Work sets you free), of the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz in Oswiecim January 27,2010.

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - A Swedish man accused of organizing the theft of the "Work sets you free" sign from the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz will be extradited to Poland, a Swedish district court said on Thursday.

Anders Hogstrom, 34, was seized in Sweden in February on a European arrest warrant issued by Poland.

The theft of the "Arbeit macht frei" sign, an enduring symbol of the Holocaust, caused international outrage, especially in Israel and among Jewish groups.

Defense lawyer Bjorn Sandin told Reuters that Hogstrom would likely appeal the ruling. If his appeal is rejected, the Swede will be handed over to Polish authorities within 10 days.

Poland has already arrested five local men it believes stole the sign and cut it into three pieces, but accuses Hogstrom of orchestrating the crime.

The metal sign is now being repaired. Officials say a replica now topping the entrance gate may remain there permanently as the original could prove too fragile to withstand the varying weather conditions.

Up to 1.5 million people, mostly Jews, died at the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp during Nazi Germany's wartime occupation of Poland. The site became a museum after the war.

(Editing by Ralph Boulton)