Jaruzelski on trial

The Katowice branch of the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) has filed charges against nine people who took part in imposing martial law in December 1981. The accused include General Wojciech Jaruzelski, General Czesław Kiszczak and the former first secretary of the communist party, Stanisław Kania.

If found guilty, the men could face up to 10 years in prison. "This step is an obligation towards the Polish nation," said the IPN's Andrzej Drogoń. "I hope it will finally return a sense of justice." But he added, "It is not about the punishment counted in years, but about admitting guilt."

Jaruzelski, 84, is accused of heading an armed criminal organization and of inciting the members of the State Council to exceed their rights by imposing martial law. The move was part of the communist government's efforts to crush the pro-democracy Solidarity movement. Martial law lasted a year and a half and involved the jailing of thousands of dissidents, including Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa. In Polish martial law is called stan wojenny (literally, state of war), and Jaruzelski is considered by some to have declared war on the country.

The IPN says the imposition of martial law was illegal, but Jaruzelski has always defended his decision and argued that it was necessary to prevent a Soviet invasion. The charges against Jaruzelski are part of the government's attempt to bring to justice communist-era "apparatchiks." (Reuters)