The Warsaw District Court acquitted all three defendants on Friday (November 22) in the case involving the 1992 murder of former PRL Prime Minister Piotr Jaroszewicz and his wife, Alicja Solska-Jaroszewicz.
"Errors and inconsistencies by the prosecution during the preliminary investigation led to this verdict," Judge Stanisław Zdun stated in the justification of the ruling.
The case concerned one of the most shocking crimes of the early 1990s. Piotr Jaroszewicz, who served as PRL (Polish People's Republic) Prime Minister from 1970 to 1980, and his wife were murdered in their home in Anin on the night between August 31 and September 1, 1992.
The assailants strangled Jaroszewicz with a leather strap after subjecting him to severe mistreatment. His wife, Alicja, was shot in the head at close range with his hunting rifle.
According to prosecutors, the accused broke into the Anin home in 1992, with Robert S. allegedly strangling Jaroszewicz and shooting his wife. Robert S. was also accused of a 1991 double murder in Gdynia and an attempted murder in Izabelin in 1993. Dariusz S. and Marcin B. were charged as accomplices in the former prime minister’s murder.
All three were members of the so-called Karate Gang, which committed dozens of robberies in the 1990s.
The trial, which began in mid-2020, lasted over four years. For more than a year, the court carefully examined the defendants’ testimonies, followed by witness hearings.
In closing arguments, the prosecution sought a life sentence for Robert S., along with 7 years and 5.5 years in prison for Dariusz S. and Marcin B., respectively. The defense called for acquittals.
The court acquitted all defendants of all charges.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: PAP/Paweł Supernak