General Jaruzelski in hospital

General Wojciech Jaruzelski, the former communist leader who imposed Martial Law in Poland at the beginning of the 1980s, is currently receiving medical care after having contracted pleurisy.

The news was announced by the general’s wife, Halina Barbara Jaruzelska, who told the Polish Press Agency that her husband was at the Military Medical Institute in Warsaw.

“On Friday, doctors from the hospital at Szaserow in Warsaw diagnosed him with pleurisy. He’s fed intravenously and has a very high body temperature – up to 40 degrees Celsius,” reported the general’s wife.

General Wojciech Jaruzelski,

I haven't really met him, but he was my neighbour for 5 years

I wish him well.

I don't.

Martial law in Poland (Polish: Stan wojenny w Polsce, "the state of war") refers to the period of time from December 13, 1981 to July 22, 1983, when the authoritarian government of the People's Republic of Poland drastically restricted normal life by introducing martial law in an attempt to crush political opposition to it. Thousands of opposition activists were interned without charge and as many as 100 people were killed.[1] Although martial law was lifted in 1983, many of the political prisoners were not released until the general amnesty in 1986.

The Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) says it has documentary proof that General Wojciech Jaruzelski, now 86, requested the Kremlin’s help just days before imposing martial law.

I am not saying this is a forgery. I am saying that it is written in such a way that it can be interpreted in various ways. And I think the main thing is the final word -- I don't remember it, but he wrote that at the end of the conversation Marshal Kulikov asked me if he could report to Brezhnev that we have made the decision to introduce martial law. And my answer was: "Only if you provide us with help."

Paid back your share of the EU subsidies yet, as you said you would?

As for my opinion, if there is proof, why isn't he being charged?

it assuming he'll die before they need to make a judgement.

the man's done far more for Poland than anybody who posts here

Surely the court would need to make a judgement even if he dies?

It's a criminal case, so it would end with his death.

then his name will remain tarnished.

though at least he has the presumption of innocence as things stand.

His trial relates to various issues, not at all clear cut.

Give us a nibble, got any issues on the case?

Yes but we both know that the jury of public opinion is not so understanding, especially with evidence.

I don't remember whether or not the charges include ordering soldiers to fire on the 1971 Gdańsk strikers.

In 1971, a year after the Baltic shootings for which he is now being tried, he became a full member of the Communist Party Politburo.

On 31 March 2006, the IPN charged him with committing communist crimes, mainly the creation of a criminal military organization with the aim of conducting crimes (mostly concerned with the illegal imprisonment of people). The second charge involves the incitement of state ministers to commit acts beyond their competence[citation needed]. Jaruzelski has avoided most court appearances citing poor health.

No. No one calculated my share and there's no mechanism of paying It bak, so how would I do that ?

Gotta love PF: foreigners (but one) discussing the politician whose "dedication" they didn't have to live under. Yep, totally reasonable.

I myself don't know what to make of him, part of me believes him that all he did was for the good of Poland another part thinks he did everything to please the Russians. (?)

Most of us realise the sheer stupidity of trying to drag a sick and ill old man through the courts.

Most of us realise the sheer stupidity of trying to drag a sick and ill old man through the courts.

Would you say the same to Demjanjuk?

Would you say the same to Demjanjuk?

You'd sing another song if you lost a loved one because of that "sick and ill old man". Or suffered in myriad of ways because what he did.

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

he was my neighbour for 5 years

Poland's Constituional Tribubnal has only jsut ruled that martial law was illegal. By umposing it, even in violation of commie law, Jaruzelski committed a crime, so we we've got a political criminal on his deathbed.