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Death Sentences in Absentia during Martial Law. The Cases of Romuald Spasowski and Zdzisław Rurarz
Patryk Pleskot
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5627-8325
Instytut Pamięci Narodowej; Uniwersytet Rzeszowski
Remembrance and Justice, Vol. 43 No. 1 (2024), pages: 66-85
Publication date: 2024-08-09
https://doi.org/10.48261/PIS244304
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Abstract
The system of “people’s” (in)justice during martial law, in addition to the “ordinary” repressive activities faced by the inhabitants of the Polish People’s Republic, sometimes decided – in executing political orders – to make unobvious actions. These included death sentences passed in absentia. After 13 December 1981, six defendants were sentenced in this way, including two defectors – ambassadors of the Polish People’s Republic: Romuald Spasowski and Zdzisław Rurarz. The sentences served an important political and propaganda function: they were intended not only to instil fear among those convicted (in addition to official bodies, there were also special services, which could be tasked with enforcing the sentences), but also to serve as a deterrent to other diplomats and citizens of the Polish People’s Republic who might consider following the path of these “traitors”. Did the courts’ actions meet the authorities’ expectations? Why did unexpected difficulties arise during Spasowski’s trial? What legal tricks were used to fulfil Jaruzelski’s wishes? In the article, the author will look for answers to these and other questions.
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