A Polish army officer is facing trial after a 22-year-old Syrian man was accidentally shot during a chase near the Belarusian border. The case has drawn attention not only because of the severe injuries sustained by the victim, but also because court experts have highlighted two broader problems: potential technical flaws in the weapon used and gaps in the military’s training and procedures for moving with a firearm while pursuing a suspect in difficult terrain. Despite these findings, prosecutors have charged the officer with careless handling of a weapon, an offence punishable by up to three years in prison.
The incident took place on 2 November 2023 in a forested area near the village of Topiło, close to the border. Soldiers were called in to support border services after a group of people crossed into Poland illegally. During the pursuit, the junior lieutenant—identified in court documents as Lt. Ł.—reportedly stumbled in the woods. At that moment, the weapon discharged and the bullet struck the Syrian man in the spine.
According to accounts cited in the proceedings, the soldiers provided first aid immediately, and the injured man was transported to hospital. From the outset, however, there have been disputed versions of the event. The victim claimed the shot was fired directly at him, while investigators and experts have pointed to evidence suggesting more shots may have been fired during the operation, including at least one warning shot. These inconsistencies have become one of the key issues examined during the trial.
The most controversial element concerns the technical assessment of the firearm. A court expert concluded that the PM 98 submachine gun has design flaws and is not adequately secured against accidental discharge in the event of a fall. The expert also noted that certain controls—such as the fire selector—may be difficult to operate in gloves, increasing risk in stressful, fast-moving situations. In parallel, specialists examining training documentation stated that the military does not provide specific instruction on how to move with a weapon during a chase in forest terrain, a factor they argue can significantly affect safety.
Even with these expert conclusions on record, prosecutors have charged Lt. Ł. with negligent handling of a firearm. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to three years in prison. The injured Syrian man has also filed a compensation claim against the soldier in the amount of 50,000 złoty. Separately, he has been granted asylum in Poland and now remains in the country under international protection.
The case has become broader than a single accident. It raises questions about how responsibility should be distributed when a potentially defective weapon and inadequate training collide with high-pressure operations in difficult conditions. The trial is being closely watched as a test of whether the legal system will focus solely on the actions of the individual soldier, or whether it will also force institutional changes—ranging from improved training standards to the review of equipment used in border operations.
