Trial of mafia hit man held in Nowy Sacz court amid tight security

On Monday the trial of the most infamous mafia hit man started in the Nowy Sacz District Court. Ryszard B. is accused of shooting and killing Pershing, the Pruszkow mafia boss of the so-called "previous management", in Zakopane in December 1999. Other six Pruszkow gang members and Miroslaw D. (nicknamed "Malizna") stand accused of taking out the contract to kill Pershing will also face murder related charges. The police are searching for Ryszard Niemczyk, a second hit man, after he managed to escape from Wadowice prison. Ryszard B. is accused of murder, extortion and kidnapping. He refused to give testimony during the investigation and pleaded not guilty on the opening day. The charges brought against Ryszard B. are based on testimonies from key witness. The trial is proceeding under very tight security measures. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 6) P.W.