Representatives of families who lost loved ones in the presidential plane crash at Smolensk on April 10 have appealed to the media and political parties not to use the tragedy for political gain.

In an open letter to the Polish Press Agency (PAP) it’s the families ask journalists and politicians to refrain from making use of their still fresh grief.

“Fostering good memories about those who died is the most important thing now. Premature speculation relating to the catastrophe are a blow to our feelings and devastating to the psychological peace we have been struggling hard to repossess. For the sake of a better future for all of us, do not succumb to this temptation,” the families of the 96 who died in western Russia write.

The plane crash killed President Lech Kaczynski, First Lady Maria Kaczynska as well as top politicians, clergy members, military commanders and representatives of veterans organizations died in the airplane accident in western Russia on April 10. (ss)