A 26-year-old man has today been found guilty of murdering a Polish man in his own flat in Edinburgh.
Maciej Ciania (34) picture above, was found dead in the address in Dickson Street on 14th January 2012. He had suffered multiple stab wounds during an attack by his former friend. At the High Court in Edinburgh today, Grzegorz Gamla, also a Polish national was found guilty of his murder.
Following the discovery of the body of Mr Ciania a murder enquiry was launched, and over 60 officers from across the Force worked with communities across Edinburgh to find the person responsible. In particular, officers worked with Eastern European communities in the city as well as Polish authorities both in the UK and in Poland.
Grzegorz Gamla was also found guilty of assault to severe injury in relation to a previous assault on Mr Ciania.
Detective Inspector Stuart Houston from Lothian and Borders Police said: “Maciej Ciania’s family have lost a much-loved son and brother and experienced a truly terrible and life-changing ordeal. I am extremely grateful to the Polish authorities who, along with Lothian and Borders Police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, assisted in securing the timely arrest of Gregorz Gamla in Poland. The investigation involved a great deal of partnership working with Scottish police and other law enforcement agencies across Europe and I have no doubt that this went a long way to securing Mr Gamla’s swift return to Scotland.
“The support provided to the Force from the Polish community in Edinburgh, particularly from local churches and Polish support organizations, was crucial in our investigation and I would like to thank them publicly today.”
Maciej Ciania’s sister, Aleksandra Poprawska, said:- “Maciej lived in Edinburgh for ten years and from the very beginning he regarded the city as his second home. We would like to thank wholeheartedly all those who have been helping us since my brother’s tragic death, including the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service – they were like a light in the darkness surrounding us and did everything they could to ease our pain.
“We would also like to thank Lothian and Borders Police. From the very start of the enquiry we were impressed by the way they combined the highest standards of professionalism with a warm, personal approach – like a perfect mechanism with a heart.
“Nothing will bring Maciej back but we are relieved to know that the person who committed this terrible crime will probably never hurt anyone again and no other family will suffer like we do.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
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