Polish citizen released from German prison after 22 years in custody
Piotr Pytel spent nearly 22 years in prison, even though the real murderer later confessed that Pytel was not at the crime scene. He now hopes for a pardon from the Polish president.
Polish citizen released from German prison after 22 years in custody
Piotr Pytel, a Polish citizen, was sentenced to life imprisonment in Germany in 2004 for murder. After nearly 22 years behind bars, he was recently released conditionally. His lawyer is now fighting for a full pardon.
The crime took place in 2004 on German soil. After the crime, the actual perpetrator fled Germany. Pytel remained in the country unaware of the act. During the investigation, police did not believe him. Context played a role: Poland was on the verge of joining the EU, the labour market was still closed, and parts of German society harboured rejecting attitudes towards the new member states.
The public prosecutor's office offered a substantial reward. A fellow inmate named Paulo Lufingo, who faced deportation to Africa, came forward to the authorities. He claimed Pytel had made a confession to him. On this basis alone, the court sentenced Pytel to life imprisonment. No traces of him were found at the crime scene – the prosecution knew this.
Years later, the real murderer was captured in Germany. He confessed to the crime and explained that Pytel had not been at the crime scene. The Polish public prosecutor's office requested a retrial, without success. German justice hid behind formal grounds.
Recently, Polish minister Waldemar Żurek intervened. Pytel was released conditionally. His lawyer said Pytel was in poor mental and physical condition. His first question concerned returning to prison. The decision on the pardon now rests with the Polish president.
Source: Rzeczpospolita
Source: Google News PL