Stanislaw Pyas - murdered?

New research led by Poland’s Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) into one of the most controversial deaths of the communist 1970s will soon be released into the public domain.

Student Stanislaw Pyas was discovered dead at the bottom of a Cracovian stairwell on 7 May 1977.

The official explanation held that he had slipped whilst “in a heavy state of drunkenness.” However, for years, many have refused to accept this theory. It has been alleged that the student was beaten to death.

Pyas was an anti-communist activist, and the Security Services were investigating him.

A 'black march' followed the death and the event prompted the foundation of the Student Committee of Solidarity.

A new inquiry was launched in May 2008 following the appearance of supplementary documents. Several previously unrecorded witnesses have now been interviewed. Finally, in April 2010, Pyas's remains were exhumed.

IPN prepared 22 questions for scientists examining the remains. A document of about 100 pages has now been submitted to IPN's Krakow office. However, the findings of the inquiry will not be released into the public domain until the deceased man' s family has been given the opportunity to digest the material. (nh/pg)