Wojciech Jaruzelski dies in Warsaw, aged 90

General Jaruzelski, 2004: photo - PAP/Radek Pietruszka (archive)

The general, who remained a controversial figure in Poland until he died on Sunday, had been ill for some time and was taken to the Warsaw Military Hospital two weeks ago after suffering a stroke.

Wojciech Jaruzelski (left) with former Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa in 2005: photo - PAP/Jacek Turczyk (archive)

Jaruzelski was prime minister of communist Poland from 1981 to 1985 and head of state from 1985 to 1990, when he was replaced by the democratically elected Lech Walesa.

Wojciech Jaruzelski will be most remembered for introducing martial law in 1981 during a crackdown against the Solidarity trade union movement.

Spokeswoman at the Presidential Palace Joanna Trzaska-Wieczorek has said details of the general's funeral arrangements will not be known until his family discloses the contents of his Will. (pg)

source: PAP/IAR