Walesa Testifies in Defense of Three Solidarity Comrades
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GDANSK, Poland — Lech Walesa, wearing a T-shirt from the outlawed Solidarity labor federation, told a court today that three of his associates are innocent of charges that they incited civil unrest by plotting an illegal strike.
Walesa told reporters after his 50-minute appearance in Gdansk provincial court that he was asked what he knew about the Feb. 13 meeting, at which prosecutors say the illegal strike was discussed.
“I told them (the court) I know that three innocent people are sitting in the defendants’ bench,” Walesa said. “There is no civilized country in the world in which one is unable to meet with his friends.”
Prosecutors charge the three defendants, Adam Michnik, Bogdan Lis and Wladyslaw Frasyniuk, all Solidarity leaders, discussed plans at the meeting for a 15-minute general strike to protest food-price increases. The work stoppage was subsequently canceled.
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