Special state payments have been granted to the family of the Polish engineer who was killed by the Taliban in Pakistan last month.

“The prime minister has kept his promise to grant a temporary family allowance. The value of the allowance will depend on the amount of benefits paid out by the Social Insurance Institution under normal circumstances,” said government spokesman, Pawel Gras.

The 13-year-old will be entitled to the allowance as of the day of his father’s death, even though the Polish special services have yet to recover the body, which the Taliban have demanded ransom for.

The Ergo Hestia insurance company also decided that the missing body is not an obstacle to pay out the compensation. The insurer acknowledges that there is “sufficient evidence” of Piotr Stanczak’s death - the execution was filmed by his captures - even though most insurance companies would not accept the death without a body in normal circumstances.

Stanczak was working for the Geofizyka Krakow company when he was abducted by armed assailants on September 28, some 200 km south-east of Islamabad. Three Pakistanis, a driver and two bodyguards, who accompanied the Pole were shot dead during the kidnap. In exchange for his freedom the kidnapers demanded the Pakistani government release of members of the Taliban from jail. Five months later the hostage was beheaded. (jm/pg)

source: TVN24