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Should the elderly and infirm be prosecuted for political crimes in Poland?


Polonius3  980 | 12275  
5 Jun 2015 /  #1
bibula.com/?p=19255

This question arises every time a sick and elderly person faces trial for his communist or nazi misdeeds. It was raised in relation to Jaruzelski and Kiszczak. The Israelis have no qualms about prosecuting for nazi crimes even those with one foot in the grave.

Some want to prosecute Piotr Śmietański, nicknamed Mojżeż or Izrael, the triggerman that shot Polish wartime hero Witold Pilecki in the head.
Śmietański fled to Israel in 1956 when things were getting hot for Jewish Stalinists. Of course, it's a known fact that Israel never allows its ethnic brethren to be extradited.

My general question is: should the time lag and the age of health of perpetrators be considered when deciding whethe to prosecute?

Important: If you post a link to a non-English source, ALWAYS summarize / translate the relevant parts into English!
Harry  
5 Jun 2015 /  #2
Of course, it's a known fact that Israel never allows its ethnic brethren to be extradited.

It might be well known, but it certainly isn't a fact.

My general question is: should the time lag and the age of health of perpetrators be considered when deciding whethe to prosecute?

Given the way that everybody involved in the murder of Pilecki and were still in Poland in 1989 were essential let off (not one of them was tried), Poland doesn't exactly do much for its international reputation by hounded Jews to their graves.

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