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Poland/Pakistan
Geologist's beheading confirmed as Warsaw vows to punish killers
Article published on the 2009-02-09 Latest update 2009-02-11 15:15 TU
A frame grab of Piotr Stanczak from video footage released by Pakistani Taliban militants
(Credit: Reuters)
The Polish government on Monday vowed to punish the killers of 42-year-old Piotr Stanczak, a geologist who was working in Pakistan and abducted then killed in the northwest after it confirmed that he had been beheaded. A group linked to the Taliban in Afghanistan had released a video showing Stanczak's execution on Sunday.
"Now we can no longer save our compatriot, we are going to try and punish his killers," said Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on Monday after confirming his death.
"A crime was committed, so there must be an investigation, a search for the guilty parties, and if possible, they must be brought before a court and served due punishment," he added.
Stanczak had been working for a Polish oil and natural gas exploration company when he was abducted on 28 September. His bodyguard and driver were also killed.
His death shocked Poland. This is the first time a Pole had been beheaded by Islamic militants. The kidnappers had originally demanded that 60 Islamist fighters be released, but eventually narrowed the names down to four people.
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