An investigation into the suspected abuse of authority by a soldier during an intervention involving a person who illegally crossed the border has been taken over by the Military Division of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Olsztyn, according to its spokesperson, Daniel Brodowski. The incident in question resulted in a Polish officer being injured.
As previously reported, the event took place last Thursday near Michałowo, along the border with Belarus. According to Major Błażej Łukaszewski, spokesperson for the Podlasie Military Task Force, a group of migrants attacked Polish soldiers by throwing stones at them. During the incident, two migrants illegally crossed the border, and one Polish soldier guarding the frontier was injured.
According to media reports at the time, non-lethal weapons were used against the attacking Afghan migrant. After receiving hospital treatment, the illegal migrant was transferred to a detention center for foreigners.
However, in relation to the soldier’s actions, the Białystok-North District Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation to determine whether there was an abuse of authority (Article 231 of the Penal Code).
New Developments
Today, Daniel Brodowski, spokesperson for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Olsztyn, announced that on Monday, the case was officially transferred—by decision of the Deputy District Prosecutor for Military Affairs—to the 8th Military Division of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Olsztyn for further investigation.
He stated that the investigation concerns “a suspected abuse of authority by a soldier on duty securing the state border.” The soldier intervened against a person who had illegally crossed the border. The alleged abuse of authority reportedly involved the improper and unlawful use of direct coercive measures against the detained individual, resulting in bodily harm, the Olsztyn prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
It was also noted that the investigation is currently being conducted “in rem,” meaning that no one has yet been formally charged.
“Evidence is being collected; witnesses are being interviewed; surveillance footage from the scene is under review. We are also awaiting expert medical opinions to assess the extent of the victim’s injuries,” Brodowski emphasized.
He added that, at the same time, a separate report was filed by the soldier with the Military Police Division in Białystok, regarding an alleged assault committed on July 10 by the person who illegally crossed the border and against whom he intervened. This report will be the subject of a separate proceeding, Brodowski clarified.