Financial problems behind controversial politician's death?

Andrzej lepper; photo - PAP

A decision about whether a full investigation will be launched into the death of the controversial politician will be made on Monday.

Lepper was found dead on Friday afternoon at his party's headquarters. Authorities have confirmed that the death was caused by hanging.

Further details will be revealed on Monday following an autopsy.

Renata Beger, a former MP for Self Defence, described her former leader as “a very effective politician” and said that personally, he was very warm and open and “like a father” to his co-workers.

However, Beger was also among those questioning whether the politician did indeed take his own life.

“I don't believe that Lepper committed suicide,” she said.

“He was very much a believer – he was a practising Christian. Many times I saw how he turned to God while in difficult circumstances.”

The tabloid Super Express has theorised that Lepper was murdered, and that he may have been in debt to shady businessmen.

Andrzej Lepper, who was deputy prime minister in the Law and Justice-led coalition (2005-07) was one of Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko’s few admirers in Poland and the Belarusian authorities have been quick to question the verdict of suicide.

“The death of a prominent and popular politician shortly before parliamentary elections in Poland arouses our concern, especially considering the fact that this is not the first death of a member of the party’s leadership this year,” said Andrey Savinykh, a spokesman for the Belarusian Foreign Ministry.

Lepper was facing a retrial in court after allegations that he demanded sexual favours from a party worker in return for career advancement after the original trial was made null and void on technicalities earlier this year.

The leaders of both main political parties have called for the death not to be used as capital in the forthcoming general election, scheduled for 9 October. (nh/pg)