Case against SLD deputy Jaskiernia to continue after appeal court ruling

The Court of Appeal has overturned an earlier court ruling under which Democratic Left Alliance (SLD) deputy Jerzy Jaskiernia was found not to have made a false statement when he denied cooperating with the communist-era secret service. Explaining the appeal court's decision, judge Rafal Kaniok said the court of first instance had failed to study the matter in full. After the latest ruling was announced, Jaskiernia commented, "I'm not surprised. The court merely found some mistakes in the proceedings. It has not questioned the truth of my statement. I continue to stress that I did not cooperate with the secret service of the Polish People's Republic." Jaskiernia now faces further legal proceedings. If he is found guilty of the charges against him he could be barred from public office for ten years. This means he will be prevented from sitting in the Sejm. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. A1, A3) M.K.