Kowalczyk brothers
Encyclopedia
Ryszard Kowalczyk and his younger brother Jerzy Kowalczyk (born 1942) - Polish brothers who planted a bomb as a protest against the communist rule in Poland.
The Kowalczyk brothers were scientists at Opole
University. They planted a bomb there on 6 October 1971 as a protest specifically against the violence perpetrated by the communist authorities against the workers' protest
. A big celebration for the Służba Bezpieczeństwa and Milicja Obywatelska
was to take place at the University in the morning of the following day. The big explosion literally destroyed the big university hall where the celebrations were to take place.
Although no-one was injured, a wide investigation has been launched and the Kowalczyks were quickly captured. On 8 September 1972 the court in Opole sentenced Jerzy to death and Ryszard as his helper to 25 years in prison. The sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court on 18 December 1972. Such severe sentences resulted in protests involving Jan Józef Szczepański, Wisława Szymborska, Jerzy Szacki
, Stanisław Lem, Daniel Olbrychski
and Catholic authorities. On 19 January 1973 the Council of State
reduced Jerzy Kowalczyk's sentence to 25 years in prison.
With the rise of Solidarity in the 1980s, pardons were issued and the brothers were freed for good behavior: Ryszard in 1983 and Jerzy in 1985. In 1991 President Lech Wałęsa
decided that their sentences were legally forgotten which would allow them to work again. Still this declaration and following it legal procedure, has not been confirmed by the Supreme Court, which in January 2002 ruled that the conviction of the Kowalczyks can not be appealed, justifying it mainly but not uniquely by the reasons of the legal procedure. The ruling closes the appeal possibilities in this case.
This entry is based on Polish Wikipedia article :pl:Bracia Kowalczykowie.
The Kowalczyk brothers were scientists at Opole
Opole
Opole is a city in southern Poland on the Oder River . It has a population of 125,992 and is the capital of the Upper Silesia, Opole Voivodeship and, also the seat of Opole County...
University. They planted a bomb there on 6 October 1971 as a protest specifically against the violence perpetrated by the communist authorities against the workers' protest
Polish 1970 protests
The Polish 1970 protests were protests that occurred in northern Poland in December 1970. The protests were sparked by a sudden increase of prices of food and other everyday items...
. A big celebration for the Służba Bezpieczeństwa and Milicja Obywatelska
Milicja Obywatelska
Milicja Obywatelska was a state police institution in the People's Republic of Poland. It was created in 1944 by Soviet-sponsored PKWN, effectively replacing the pre-war police force. In 1990 it was transformed back into Policja....
was to take place at the University in the morning of the following day. The big explosion literally destroyed the big university hall where the celebrations were to take place.
Although no-one was injured, a wide investigation has been launched and the Kowalczyks were quickly captured. On 8 September 1972 the court in Opole sentenced Jerzy to death and Ryszard as his helper to 25 years in prison. The sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court on 18 December 1972. Such severe sentences resulted in protests involving Jan Józef Szczepański, Wisława Szymborska, Jerzy Szacki
Jerzy Szacki
Jerzy Ryszard Szacki is a Polish sociologist and historian of ideas, and emeritus professor of the University of Warsaw....
, Stanisław Lem, Daniel Olbrychski
Daniel Olbrychski
Daniel Olbrychski is a Polish actor best known for leading roles in several Andrzej Wajda movies and also known for playing the Russian defector and spymaster Vassily Orlov, alongside Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie in the movie Salt....
and Catholic authorities. On 19 January 1973 the Council of State
Polish Council of State
The Council of State of the Republic of Poland was introduced by the 1947 Small Constitution. It consisted of the President of the Republic of Poland, the Marshal and Vicemarshals of Constituent Sejm, President of the Supreme Chamber of Control and could consist of other members...
reduced Jerzy Kowalczyk's sentence to 25 years in prison.
With the rise of Solidarity in the 1980s, pardons were issued and the brothers were freed for good behavior: Ryszard in 1983 and Jerzy in 1985. In 1991 President Lech Wałęsa
Lech Wałęsa
Lech Wałęsa is a Polish politician, trade-union organizer, and human-rights activist. A charismatic leader, he co-founded Solidarity , the Soviet bloc's first independent trade union, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, and served as President of Poland between 1990 and 95.Wałęsa was an electrician...
decided that their sentences were legally forgotten which would allow them to work again. Still this declaration and following it legal procedure, has not been confirmed by the Supreme Court, which in January 2002 ruled that the conviction of the Kowalczyks can not be appealed, justifying it mainly but not uniquely by the reasons of the legal procedure. The ruling closes the appeal possibilities in this case.
This entry is based on Polish Wikipedia article :pl:Bracia Kowalczykowie.