Crown witness to play key role in trial of notorious Pruszkow mafia

Five suspects called "the management of the Pruszkow mafia" (Zbigniew R. vel Bolo, Leszek D. vel. Wanka, Miroslaw D. vel. Malizna, Janusz P. vel. Parasol and Ryszard Sz. vel. Kajtek) will face trial today charged of being behind the largest criminal gang in Poland. The catalogue of crimes they are charged with range from murder, kidnapping, drug running and production. A sixth suspect is in a Spanish prison awaiting extradition. Everything is set for one of the biggest legal battles in the nation's history. Special security measures have been taken by the police and anti-terrorist units to protect witnesses, judges and lawyers. One member of the gang will act as a crown witness. (Gazeta Wyborcza, pp. 1, 10) M.M.