Beating Killed Priest, Policeman Testifies : Attempt to Confuse Investigators by Demanding Ransom Told

Two secret policemen accused of kidnaping and murdering a pro-Solidarity priest tried to confuse investigators by telephoning church officials and demanding a $50,000 ransom, a third agent testified Friday.

Lt. Waldemar Chmielewski, one of four secret police agents accused in the killing of the Rev. Jerzy Popieluszko, wept and stammered as he testified that he was convinced that the priest died from the beating he and two other agents administered Oct. 19.

“It was cruel and nightmarish,” Chmielewski told the court.

Chmielewski said his boss, Capt. Grzegorz Piotrowski, beat the priest several times with a wooden stick after he was kidnaped.

“No man could survive as many beatings as he was given. I am convinced that the beating was the cause of his death.”

On Wednesday, Chmielewski became the second of the four accused to testify that the operation was approved by top police officials.

Popieluszko, 37, a champion of the outlawed trade union Solidarity, was known throughout Poland for his anti-government sermons. He was kidnapped Oct. 19 near the northern city of Torun. His body, beaten and apparently strangled, was found Oct. 30 in a reservoir outside Torun.

Chmielewski, 29, said Piotrowski and fellow defendant Lt. Leszek Pekala tried to confuse investigators by calling the office of the bishop of Warsaw and demanding a $50,000 ransom for Popieluszko’s return.

“They laughed after giving a call to the church,” Chmielewski said.

Chmielewski also said Pietrowski tried to comfort him by telling him not to worry about a special commission set up at the Interior Ministry to investigate the case.

“He calmed me down, (told me) not to worry as there were honest and proper people on the commission.”

Gen. Platek and another official on the committee identified only as Jablonski were described by Piotrowski as “his men,” Chmielewski said. Platek later was suspended from his duties at the Interior Ministry.

Chmielewski said Piotrowski also told him not to conduct any conversations inside Piotrowski’s office.

“He said he got a slip of paper from Col. Adam Pietruszka informing them that the rooms could be bugged,” Chmielewski said.

On Wednesday, Chmielewski quoted Piotrowski as saying, “The operation had broad dimensions and some other actions were planned to be taken against the priest by unspecified persons.”

Pekala testified last week that Piotrowski would not have dared kidnap the priest without high-level support.

Pekala, Chmielewski and Piotrowski are charged with Popieluszko’s murder. Pietruszka is charged with conspiracy in the crime, and all four face sentences ranging from eight years in jail to death by hanging. The trial began Dec. 27.

Chmielewski wept several times as he said that he could not stand living until he told what happened to Popieluszko. While his pregnant wife sat weeping nearby, Chmielewski spoke with a stammer that he developed following the priest’s death. His hands trembled.