Bullets found near or in the graves were nearly all manufactured between 1911-1915 and thus probably came from the first world war.

Polish Business News

Catholic role decisive at Jedwabne

THE role of Polish Catholics in the murder of the Jewish population of Jedwabne, 61 years ago today on July 10, 1941 was 'decisive' in the words of public prosecutor Radoslaw Ignatiew who thus concluded a very detailed investigation into the circumstances of the atrocity. He added that the atrocity was permitted with the tacit approval of the Nazi occupation authorities.

The amount of victims is still not known but it is highly probable that the 1,600 number given in the book Neighbors by Jan Tomasz Gross is highly unlikely. The public prosecutor suggested a figure of at least 300.

The investigation also found that bullets found near or in the graves were nearly all manufactured between 1911-1915 and thus probably came from the first world war, when the front passed through the village. The remains of an artillery shell from the first world war was also found. Rounds fired from a German MG42 were believed to date from 1944.

The public prosecutor has closed the file believing that further prosecutions are unlikely given the age of the possible criminals and that the fact that trials were held in the communist era.