Austrian gravestone of Hitler's parents removed

London, Mar 31 (ANI): The tombstone which marks the graves of Adolf Hitler's parents in Austria has been removed as the site was becoming a pilgrimage spot for right-wing extremists, according to officials.

The grave is in Leonding, 10 kilometres from the city of Linz.

Mayor of Leonding, Walter Brunner, said that a descendant of the family made the decision.

Hitler was born near Braunau, 100km away, but spent much of his childhood in Leonding.

Brunner said he had no more details of the decision by the descendant, but welcomed it.

The relative has given up her rights to the rented plot.

The tombstone for the parents, Alois and Klara, was removed on Wednesday and the plot will now be used for a new burial, the pastor of the parish, Kurt Pittertschatscher, told local media.

"The rights holder has relinquished it. The tombstone has been taken away and the grave can now be reassigned," the BBC quoted Pittertschatscher as saying.

"The upkeep of the grave was becoming increasingly difficult as the years went by, and the grave... kept being misused for gatherings of sympathisers," he said.

When asked whether he believed it unlikely anyone would want the plot, he said, "I really haven't thought about it."

The descendant is said to be an elderly female relative of Alois Hitler's first wife, Anna.

Pittertschatscher said that the relative had employed a stonemason to remove the headstone without ceremony.

It is not known what happened to the remains in the grave. A white gravel square and a tree now stand at the site. (ANI)