31 January 2008: Dead man walking

A Polish man is being prevented from returning from the dead by Red Tape.

Last August the Polish authorities incorrectly identified a drowned corpse as Piotr Kucy, aged 38, from the city of Polkowice.

Mr Kucy was really alive and well, and showed up a few days after his own funeral, but despite having repeatedly pointed out to government officials that he is alive, he still remains dead in official records.

However, Mr Kucy is quite relaxed about his situation. As a dead person he is no longer liable for tax.