According to the Onet news portal, a brutal attack on a Polish soldier took place at the border with Belarus. A migrant who had illegally crossed the border began throwing stones and subsequently hit the soldier in the face. In response, the soldier used a smoothbore weapon and the butt of his rifle. The military emphasises that he acted in accordance with the law, responding to a direct threat to life.
Migrants Once Again Threw Stones at Soldiers
The dangerous incident occurred on the night of July 10 near border post number 448, in the vicinity of Michałów. A group of nine migrants, as reported by Major Błażej Łukaszewski, spokesperson for the 2nd rotation of the Military Task Force “Podlasie”, attacked a Polish military patrol. The attackers threw stones and illegally crossed the border from the Belarusian side. Seven of them retreated after the patrol intervened, but two continued their aggression.
One of the migrants struck a Polish soldier in the eye with his elbow. The soldier was transported to a hospital where he received medical assistance. Faced with a life-threatening situation, a soldier from the 5th Lubusz Artillery Regiment, serving as part of the “Podlasie” task force, fired rubber bullets from a smoothbore weapon. The entire incident was recorded by cameras installed at the border. According to media reports, the footage shows the moment the shots were fired. The command of the “Podlasie” task force confirmed that the use of force was justified by the immediate threat to the officer’s health.
Major Łukaszewski clearly emphasised that soldiers are fully authorised to use direct coercive measures against aggressive foreigners who cross the border illegally. An internal investigation has been initiated. The Military Police have accepted a report from the injured soldier but are not commenting on the matter until the proceedings are concluded.
The Białystok-North District Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident. Prosecutors intend to determine whether the Polish soldier exceeded his authority when he allegedly fired a smoothbore weapon at an Afghan national. More here.