Wojciech Janowski
Wojciech Janowski (born 15 August 1949) is a Polish-born Monegasque former businessman, diplomat, and philanthropist. In 2018, he was sentenced to life in prison for ordering the murder of his mother-in-law, Hélène Pastor.[1]
Wojciech Janowski | |
|---|---|
 Janowski in 2010 | |
| Born | 15 August 1949 |
| Nationality | Polish-Monegasque |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, diplomat, philanthropist |
| Spouse | Sylvia Pastor |
| Relatives | Hélène Pastor (mother-in-law) Gildo Pallanca Pastor (brother-in-law) |
Career
Janowski was the manager of hotels and casinos in Monaco.[2][3] Later, he served as the Chairman of Firmus SAM, a nanotechnology company.[2]
Janowski served as the Chair of the Polish Chamber of Commerce in Monaco.[2] He also served as Poland's honorary consul in Monaco until 2014.[2]
Philanthropy
Janowski is a co-founder of Monaco Against Autism (MONAA).[3] He was a recipient of the National Order of Merit for his philanthropy from French President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2010.[3]
Personal life
Janowski lived with Sylvia Pastor, the daughter of billionaire heiress Hélène Pastor, for 28 years, but they never married.[3]
Criminal trial and conviction
On 6 May 2014, Hélène Pastor and her chauffeur, Mohamed Dariouch, were shot by a gunman while leaving Archet Hospital in Nice, France, where her son Gildo was recuperating from a stroke. Dariouch died on 11 May and Pastor died on 21 May.[1] In June 2014, Janowski admitted to ordering the shooting.[2] However, he initially retracted his confession and said he was not guilty, claiming he was unable to understand the initial questions asked to him in French by police.[4] At the start of the trial in Monaco in 2018, he maintained that he was innocent, but five weeks later, Janowski, through his lawyer, formally admitted to ordering the shooting. The following day, he was sentenced to life in prison.[4]
References
- "Hélène Pastor murder: Polish son-in-law sentenced to life". BBC News. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- Samuel, Henry (27 June 2014). "Monaco heiress' son-in-law admits to 'involvement' in her murder". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- Willsher, Kim (27 June 2014). "Monaco billionaire's son-in-law accused of ordering her murder". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
- Samuel, Henry (17 October 2018). "Polish diplomat sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Monaco's wealthiest woman Hélène Pastor". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 December 2020.