District Court in Siedlce, branch Biała Podlaska Sąd Okręgowy w Siedlcach. Wydział Zamiejscowy w Białej Podlaskiej (Sygn. GK 284)

The collection contains selected files of the trials from the District Court in Siedlce-Biała Podlaska during the years 1945-1956. These trials pertain to crimes committed against Jews and Poles in Poland during the German occupation. Most of the investigation was discontinued. Trials were based on the Decree of August 31, 1944 (“Sierpniówka”), issued by the Polski Komitet Wyzwolenia Narodowego (PKWN), concerning the punishment of German criminals guilty of murders and persecution of civilians and prisoners of war, and the punishment of traitors to the Polish Nation. “Sierpniówka” was one of the world's first legislation on liability for war crimes committed during World War II. This decree also applied to soldiers of the Home Army (Armia Krajowa) whom the Communist propaganda in the 40’s and 50’s attempted to portray as German collaborators. Copyright Holder: Instytut Pamięci Narodowej-Komisja Ścigania Zbrodni przeciwko Narodowi Polskiemu