25 Years Since Martial Law
On this day 25 years ago, Poland's Communist government declared a state of Martial Law. The tanks rolled in, the nation's phone lines were cut, a curfew was introduced and Solidarity activists were arrested en masse. In all, it is estimated that over ninety people perished as a result of the action.
The imposition of 'Stan Wojenny' as it is called in Poland, literally 'State of War', remains highly controversial until this day. Many of those involved in the decision-making have never been properly tried.
The most controversial character remains General Wojciech Jaruzelski, Prime Minister between 1981 and 1985.
Jaruzelski, now 83, has always insisted that the imposition of martial law was the the lesser of two evils. He claims that had he not acted, Moscow would have sent the Soviet Army in, resulting in carnage. This argument is the cause of much inflammatory debate, and on this day every year, protesters gather outside the former minister's house to call for justice.
The state of Martial Law was revoked in July 1983.