2025-01-02 14:01 update: 2025-01-03, 15:11
Photo PAP/Darek Delmanowicz
A soldier who discharged his weapon at a civilian vehicle in the eastern Polish village of Mielnik on New Year's Day may face charges of attempted murder, PAP has learnt from sources involved in the investigation.
The soldier, who was under the influence of alcohol, discharged live ammunition; however, no one was hurt during the incident.
Military Police are currently investigating the incident, under the supervision of the Prosecutor's Office.
Investigators are awaiting the opportunity to interview the detainee once he has regained sobriety.
As per a statement from the Operational Command of the Armed Forces, the soldier, part of the 18th Mechanised Division and stationed at the border with Belarus as part of the 'Safe Podlasie' operation, left his camp in Mielnik without authorisation on Wednesday, taking his service weapon with him.
He fired at a civilian car and subsequently sought refuge in a nearby forest where he was located and apprehended by his Mielnik Task Force soldiers. It was confirmed that he was intoxicated, and no other individuals were harmed during the incident, according to the operational command.
"At this time, I can only say that any activities involving this soldier cannot proceed until he is sober," Piotr Antoni Skiba, a spokesperson for the Warsaw District Prosecutor's Office, told PAP on Thursday. "We anticipate that these activities will take place either on Thursday afternoon or Friday."
According to the findings of PAP, given the circumstances surrounding the incident, the detained soldier may face charges of attempted murder.
The motive behind his shooting at the civilian vehicle remains unclear.
Later on Thursday, Skiba said that the situation could involve several criminal offenses. "Generally, the focus is on attempted murder charges, which can lead to a prison term ranging from 15 years to life."
He added that there might be charges related to misuse of power and making criminal threats.
Once the charges are officially filed, investigators are expected to request a court order for the suspect's temporary detention.
According to Skiba, the evidence suggests that the soldier fired off a significant number of shots - "at least 65 rounds" - from his weapon.
The soldier had stopped a civilian vehicle on the road, which had two people inside: a driver and his daughter sitting next to him. "The girl was able to escape from the car, and at one point, the father tried to get away from the soldier," Skiba explained. "As he drove off, at least one shot was fired at the vehicle, striking the empty passenger seat." The shot was fired from behind the car, targeting the vehicle as it fled.
The suspect is a 25-year-old private who has been serving voluntarily since April 2024 and has been stationed at Poland's border with Belarus since December. (PAP)
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