Verdict due in watershed 1940 Katyn massacre case

The hearing, which began in October 2011, is the first to be held at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Strasbourg.

Over 22, 500 Polish citizens, largely reserve officers, were executed on Stalin’s orders in the spring of 1940 at various locations across the Soviet Union.

Moscow officially acknowledged guilt for the crime in 1990. A Russian investigation began that year, and was broken off in 2004.

The case has been brought by a number of families of the victims. They accuse Russian authorities of not conducting an effective investigation, unacceptable treatment of the bereaved families and a failure to cooperate with the ECtHR.

The families are demanding that all outstanding documents regarding the Katyn Crime are declassified, and that all victims are officially rehabilitated.

Rehabilitation is normally applied to those who have been unjustly sentenced in court. However, there was no court sentence for the Poles, who were shot in secret by the Soviet Secret Police (NKVD).

Lawyers believe that if the families are successful, Russian authorities may be compelled to launch a new investigation. Likewise, the families of the victims may be paid compensation. (nh)