A district court in Warsaw has ruled that the case regarding the preparations for the tragic April 2010 flight to Smolensk, Russia, should be reopened.

Ninety-six people died in the crash, including President Lech Kaczyński, his wife Maria Kaczyńśka, as well as many political and military leaders.

The prosecutors handling the case in June of last year had closed the case, citing “lack of criminal intent” regarding those who organized the flight from the civil side. A different investigation concerns the organizers of the flight from the military side. Charges have been filed in that case.

Jarosław Kaczyński and Marta Kaczyński – the twin brother and the daughter of President Lech Kaczyński – objected to the decision. The court ruled in their favor.

Investigations have shown that the flight was poorly prepared – prior to the trip, a proper flight plan was not filed, for example.

The civil portion of the case includes officials and employees of many state agencies, including the chancelleries of the prime minister and president, the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the Polish Embassy in Russia.

Jacek Ciesnowski