The 87 year-old former communist leader General Wojciech Jaruzelski has been diagnosed with cancer.

“Diagnosis unfortunately reveals a malignant growth of the lymphoid cells,” says Col. Piotr Dabrowiecki at Warsaw’s Institute of Medicine.

“The General is now being prepared for chemotherapy,” he added, saying Jaruzelski’s current condition is “moderately good”.

Wojciech Jaruzelski, the instigator of martial law in 1981, has been suffering from poor health for some time. Two weeks ago he was rushed to hospital in a serious condition where doctors diagnosed pleurisy.

Earlier, Jaruzelski said that poor health was one of the reasons why he could not attend the 1 May beatification ceremony of John Paul II in Rome. (pg)

source: IAR/PAP