The Russian Prosecutor General has passed on a further batch of files to Poland today concerning the Katyn Crime of 1940.

Moscow’s gesture marks the 71st anniversary of the WWII killings that eliminated over 22,000 members of the Polish elite, largely reserve officers.

The move also accompanies the 1st anniversary of the Smolensk air disaster of 10 April 2010. The presidential delegation had indeed flown to pay tribute to the 1940 victims when the so-called ‘curse of Katyn’ struck once more.

The files due today are eagerly awaited by both historians and descendants of the Katyn families themselves. Moscow finally admitted guilt for the crime in 1990.

An official inquiry, lasting over a decade, was terminated in March 2005. However, Moscow held back many files on the basis that they contained state secrets.

Given that currently Warsaw has 137 of the 183 files, it is hoped that the additional classified material will be handed over today.

According to Moscow, 36 of the remaining volumes were given the initial tag of classified, whilst the remaining ten have been categorised as for “official use.” However, no precise details have been revealed as yet on which files are coming to Poland.

Nevertheless, Russian Human Rights organisation Memorial has described today’s gesture as “an important step in the right direction.” (nh/jb)

Source: PAP