Polish lawmaker Franciszek Sterczewski issued a public apology on October 12 for remarks about sergeant Mateusz Sitk—whose death on the Polish‑Belarusian border in June 2023—prompting Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz to call for a response.
Apology Issued by Sterczewski Over Border Comments
Sterczewski apologised for remarks about sergeant Mateusz Sitk, who died in a June 2023 incident on the Polish‑Belarusian border. He clarified that his comments concerned the wider border situation, not the specific case, and stressed that a secure border depends on respect for human rights.
Kosiniak‑Kamysz Demands Accountability
Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamysz responded that Sterczewski’s statements were untrue and unacceptable, arguing Sitk’s death resulted from a Belarusian attack, not procedural errors. He called for an apology and reinforced that soldiers guarding the border are protected by the state.
Broader Debate on Border Management
During a program on October 12, Sterczewski said the border crisis should be handled non‑militarily, proposing the screening of civilians to determine their identities as a way to secure the border.
