Fury as executioner's torture collection is sold

A French auction house is auctioning several hundred torture and execution devices, including hanging ropes and hand crushers, collected by one of France’s last executioners. Rights groups have condemned the show as "shocking".

Fernand Meyssonnier faced death everyday throughout his career as one of France’s last executioners. But it turns out that his profession was also a hobby.

Torture objects dating back over 300 years, from a hand-crusher to inquisition torture chairs, are included in the sale, which takes place next Tuesday in Paris. Death-related objects such as a bathtub that was used to hold heads are also up for purchase.

http://www.thelocal.fr/2971/20120329/