A district court on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit against Czeslaw Kiszczak, a former Interior Minister accused in connection with the murder of nine miners during a strike in early 1980's communist Poland, dpa reported.
Kiszczak claimed the communist militia's brutal crackdown wasn't caused by his coded message on the use of firearms, and that he'd forbidden shooting at the protesters. The court ruled Kiszczak had endangered their lives "inadvertently."
"I greatly regret what happened in the 'Wujek' mine," Kiszczak said. "We did everything so that martial law would pass without victims."
But miners were outraged, and said they'll appeal the ruling.
"I wouldn't say it's a disgrace for Polish judiciary," said Stanislaw Platek, leader of the 1981 strike. "But 'scandal' is an appropriate statement."
Last month 14 militia officers involved in the incident were found guilty and given up to six years jail time.