A soldier accused of abuse of weapons on the border with Belarus
The incident occurred on March 25 last year. in the vicinity of Dubicz Cerkiewne in Podlasie. The soldier, according to the prosecutor’s office’s findings, fired 12 shots from a service weapon along the border road, where there was a group of migrants, border guard officers and soldiers of the Polish Army. The shots, according to investigators, were to be fired in violation of the rules of the use of firearms, which – in their opinion – exposed these people to the immediate danger of losing their lives or severe damage to health.
According to PAP, a spokesman for the capital’s prosecutor’s office Piotr Skiba, a soldier was accused of exceeding his rights, acting to the detriment of public and private interest. At the same time, in separate proceedings, the case of a second soldier was discontinued, who – as established – was on the line of shots and formally considered the injured party.
Recordings and expertise key in the investigation
The course of the event was recorded by the system of perimeter cameras, and these recordings have become a key proof in the case. Experts in the field of 3D reconstruction, video testing and ballistics analyzed the material, which allowed for detailed restoration of events. A notification of the incident was made by the commander of the Podlasie Military Task Group, and the military gendarmerie conducted procedural activities.
Political repercussions and social emotions
When the case came to light last year, it caused a wave of comments and political disputes. The opposition strongly criticized the government, demanding the resignation of the head of the Ministry of National Defense, the Minister of Justice, and even the prime minister. Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, deputy prime minister and head of the Ministry of National Defense, called the detention of « unacceptable » soldiers, emphasizing that they defended the Polish border against attacking migrants. Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed « justified anxiety and anger of people », expecting a quick clarification of the matter. President Andrzej Duda assessed the situation as a « appalling » and announced a convening of the National Security Council.
No less controversy aroused the way the soldiers detained by the Military Police. According to « Onet », three soldiers were handcuffed, which caused indignation in the military environment.
The right to use weapons on the border – unresolved dilemma
The matter of shots on the border opened a wide debate on the principles of using weapons by Polish soldiers in crisis situations. Should actions taken to defend the border be protected against criminal liability? PiS deputies carried out an inspection at the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Justice, asking about the number of similar proceedings since July 2021. Opposition politicians demanded decisive actions, including the dismissal of the most important people in the state.
The trial of the accused soldier in the Military Garrison Court in Warsaw can shed new light on the limits of the responsibility of uniformed services in crisis situations. The case, which began with several warning shots, has become a symbol of wider problems related to the protection of the border, migration policy and the functioning of the state in the face of crisis.
(Source: PAP)
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