Family tells of relief after killer guilty of murder

By ANGUS HOWARTH
Published on 21/12/2012 00:50

THE family of a Polish man, stabbed to death in his own home, voiced relief yesterday as the former friend who carried out the attack was convicted of murder.

Maciej Ciania, 34, was found dead at his flat in Leith, Edinburgh, on 14 January this year.

He had been stabbed multiple times in an attack described by police as “violent and brutal”.

Grzegorz Gamla, 26, also a Polish national, was yesterday found guilty of the murder at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The victim’s sister, Aleksandra Poprawska, welcomed the verdict, saying: “Nothing will bring Maciej back, but we are 
relieved to know the person who committed this terrible crime will probably never hurt anyone again, and no other 
family will suffer like we do.”

Mr Ciania had lived in Edinburgh for a decade and regarded the city as his second home.

More than 60 officers from Lothian and Borders Police were involved in the investigation to find his killer.

Gamla was traced to Poland, arrested, and brought back to Scotland to stand trial.

He was found guilty of murder and of assault to severe injury for a previous attack on his former friend.

Ms Poprawska later praised the police and prosecutors.

She said: “We would like to thank 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.”Gamla is due to be sentenced next month.