A 36-year-old Ukrainian citizen accused of threatening to kill President Karol Nawrocki has been formally charged. The case is being handled by prosecutors from the District Prosecutor’s Office in Zielona Góra. Citing concerns that the suspect could flee or obstruct the investigation, police have requested that he be placed in pre-trial detention.
According to Ewa Antonowicz, spokesperson for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Zielona Góra, the 36-year-old Ukrainian citizen has been charged under Articles 226 and 190 of the Polish Criminal Code. These provisions concern insulting a constitutional authority of the Republic of Poland and making criminal threats. The offenses are punishable by up to three years in prison.
According to Junior Asp. Anna Baran of the Municipal Police Headquarters in Zielona Góra, the threats against the President of Poland were made during a conversation on an online channel. During the exchange, which was later published online, the suspect allegedly made statements that police classified as threats to kill the President.
Prosecutor Ewa Antonowicz also stated that the man has no permanent registered address and that his residence permit has expired. He was arrested at his workplace.
“The issue of determining whether he was staying in Poland illegally is still under investigation. It is a very early stage of the proceedings,” the prosecutor said.
She added that the investigation is being conducted by the police and that the suspect was questioned by a prosecutor on Saturday. “A motion will be filed to place him in pre-trial detention due to concerns that he could flee or obstruct the investigation,” Prosecutor Antonowicz announced.
The case remains at an early stage of the proceedings. The court will decide whether to impose pre-trial detention after considering the motion submitted by the prosecution.