Temporary checks at the borders of Poland with Lithuania and Germany, introduced on the night from 6 to 7 July, brought immediate results. Only a fewer hours after their launch, Border defender officers made the first halt of a courier carrying illegal migrants. The government announces that this is the beginning of an extended operation to seal borders and strengthen home safety of the country in the face of rising migratory pressure. These activities are expected to take at least 1 period and are a consequence to changing smuggling routes, which are increasingly bypassing the border with Belarus for sections with Lithuania and Latvia. The situation is dynamic, with controversy surrounding the activities of civilian patrols emerging in the background.
How do fresh checks work? The scale of the operation is huge.
Since midnight, temporary checks at the European Union's interior borders with Lithuania and Germany have been restored on 7 July. Participation in the operation 800 Border defender officerswho received support from the Police, the Military Police and soldiers of the Territorial defence Army. Actions are carried out in a random manner to minimise traffic obstructions, but their scale is unprecedented in fresh years.
At the very border with Lithuania 13 checkpoints, of which 2 – Building and Gardens – operate in fixed mode, 24 hours a day. The another patrols are mobile and can appear in different places and at different times. As the authorities point out, prevention is the main objective. It is about sending a clear signal to criminal groups organizing the smuggling of people, that the Polish borders are protected not only in the section with Belarus, but throughout the length.
The first effect after a fewer hours. Courier in the hands of the service
The effectiveness of the fresh measures was confirmed almost immediately. According to the Border Guard, via the X service (formerly Twitter), during the first hours of the inspection, a courier was detained trying to bring illegal migrants into Poland. The incidental occurred at the border with Lithuania.
Officers stopped the vehicle he was driving for inspection National of Estonia. Inside the car there were 4 people, most likely coming from Afghanistan, who did not have the right to enter and stay in Poland. Both the courier and the migrants transported by him were detained. Drivers are facing serious charges of organising illegal border crossings, and are facing a punishment of up to 8 years imprisonment. This detention shows that the migratory force on this episode is simply a real problem.
New smuggling routes. Government responds to changing threat
The decision to introduce the inspection is not accidental. This is simply a direct consequence to the analysis of the services that indicate a clear change in the tactics of human smugglers. After sealing the border with Belarus, where since the beginning of the year has been reported Over 15,000 attempts at illegal crossing, the migration way began to decision north, across Lithuania and Latvia. Criminal groups are thus trying to bypass Polish safeguards and introduce migrants into the European Union.
The government underlines that the actions are coordinated with partners from the region. The increased checks shall be temporary and shall take at least 1 period until 6 August. However, the situation will be analysed on an ongoing basis and in the event of a persistent threat, this period may be extended. The aim is not only to halt migrants, but, above all, to break the criminal networks that profit from this.
Controversy around civilian patrols. Lawyers and government warn
The introduction of government controls coincided with the activity of the alleged Border defence Movement, initiated by Robert Bąkiewicz. This organization conducts its own civic patrols in the border area. Although its members declare concern for national security, their methods rise serious legal doubts and opposition from any politicians.
Among another things, the Ombudsman Marcin Wiązek warns against the activities of the movement, which emphasizes that activities specified as legitimacy of persons or search of vehicles are reserved only for eligible state services. In a akin tone, the national defence minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz spoke, announcing the consequences for those impersonating officers. Surprisingly, the President-elect Karol Nawrocki expressed his support for the initiative, thanking her creators for their "citizen attitude", which sparked another wave of discussion on the boundaries of social activism.
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A large action took place at the borders of Poland. The first halt is just the beginning?
