Soldiers guarding the east border do everything, endangering life and wellness all day to defend Poland from illegal migrants. So it was on 10 July close Michałów. – said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish. Today, a press conference was held on the attack on a 12th Mechanized Division soldier who, as a consequence of his injuries, cannot carry out his duties.
On Thursday, July 10, around 21, a group of 9 migrants illegally crossed the Polish-Belarusian border. “Under the hail of stones and aggression, border defenders have done everything possible to halt invaders. They did it effectively. Soldiers, thank you for your service!” wrote the Minister of National Defence on social media. At today's press conference in Karakule, Białystok, a press spokesperson for the 2nd Amendment of the Task Force “Podlas” described the full situation and wellness of a soldier who was straight attacked by 1 of the migrants.
"The life and wellness of the soldier was at risk, so he defended himself against the attack of 1 of the migrants in all possible ways," said Major Błażej Łukaszewski. The soldier was injured in the eye, which is why he had to be transported to the hospital. “It is presently outside the camp and does not carry out activities on the border”, added the officer, who declared that the soldier’s condition is stable, but cannot carry out duties.
"The Military Police took announcement from this soldier of the assault of an aggressive migrant, this is simply a violation of Article 223 of the Criminal Code, which is an active assault on a public officer. ZW is conducting further proceedings in this case and we cannot supply more information – explained the press spokesperson of ZWW Podlasie.
Major Łukaszewski confirmed that the attacker was detained by the Border Guard. He was 1 of the 9 migrants who made their way to the Polish area close Michałów that evening, with 7 rapidly retreating to the Belarusian side. – I would like to emphasise that since the beginning of this year more than 15 1000 attempts have been made to illegally cross the Polish-Belarusian border. Since the beginning of July, there have been almost a 1000 specified recorded attempts, said Major Błażej Łukaszewski.
On the course of the incidental and the means of direct coercion, the officer did not comment on the proceedings conducted by the Military Police.
When asked about the alleged investigation conducted by the D.A. to find whether a soldier had exceeded his authority, the officer said there was no information on this. “But I know perfectly well, due to the fact that I personally talked to this soldier that his life was in danger. I saw his swollen eye and a soldier could have lost his life if he hadn't taken any action. So first, he stopped a migrant who illegally crossed the border, and second, he defended his life – said Major Błażej Łukaszewski.
12 The Szczecin Mechanized Division has been supporting the Border defender on the northeastern border for 4 years. He is presently finishing his six-month work as part of the Sub-Lase Task Force. As of August these duties will be taken over by soldiers of the 16th Pomeranian Mechanized Division.
