The catfish had been swimming in the Balaton lake in Warsaw for decades. However, the fish was caught by Ukrainian amateur anglers and placed alive into a car trunk. All of this took place during the closed season. Police have reported the first detentions.
Officers from Warsaw’s Praga-Południe district detained a man who, according to their findings, is most likely directly linked to catching the catfish from the lake in Gocław. The 57-year-old was identified and detained by criminal officers on Tuesday evening, shortly after the media revealed details of the incident.
“The Legend of Balaton”
The over 180-centimeter-long catfish was caught on May 29, while the closed season was still in effect. Footage available online shows two men catching “the legend of Balaton” while riding a pedal boat on the Gocław lake. Public outrage was also sparked by the fact that the fish, which had lived in the reservoir for decades, was placed alive into a car trunk.
“Police officers from the Investigation Department are currently thoroughly examining all circumstances of the incident and gathering evidence, on the basis of which further procedural decisions will be made,”said Deputy Inspector Joanna Węgrzyniak.