Man Rips Off Head Of Wax Statue Of Hitler In Berlin's New Wax Museum

Berlin, Germany (AHN) -- A man ripped off the head of the wax statue of Adolph Hitler hours after it was displayed Saturday at the new Madame Tussauds wax museum in Berlin.

The 41-year old man reportedly told police he did it to protest the furor's inclusion in the museum, which has several wax likenesses of important figures in German history, including Albert Einstein, Karl Marx, and Ludwig Van Beethoven.

Officials at the museum maintain that Hitler was an important historical figure in Germany, and to not include him in the exhibit would not change what happened under his rule. However, the inclusion of the Nazi leader has sparked controversy in recent weeks.

The depiction of the former leader shows him sitting at a desk in a bunker in 1945, the day he committed suicide. His facial expression is one of misery and anger, with his head slightly down. He has one hand on the desk.

The man who beheaded the wax figure is being investigated for causing damages and bodily harm. In a scuffle with a guard who was supposed to protect the statue and a manager, the manager slightly hurt his leg. The man is expected to be released from custody later Saturday.

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum was originated by the namesake, who began making wax likenesses of important figures in 1770. Over time, her collection grew into an exhibit, and today there are Madame Tussauds Wax museums in several major cities around the world, with the original in London at Marylebone Road, where it has been located since 1884.