Former construction minister commits suicide

Barbara Blida, who was Poland's construction minister from 1993 to 1996 killed herself on April 25 as police searched her apartment as part of a corruption investigation. Local press reports say Ms Blida locked herself in the bathroom of her apartment in Siemianowice and shot herself in the chest. She was 57.

Ms Blida was part of the post-communist democratic alliance Government that was in power in Poland from 1989 to 2005. She was being investigated along with 13 other people on suspicion of taking bribes and money laundering. However, at the time of her death, no charges had been made against her.

Six police officers cers who conducted the raid on Ms Blida's apartment will face an investigation into the circumstances of her death and possible disciplinary procedures.