In a case that has captured national attention, the Regional Court in Hajnówka on Monday acquitted five activists involved in humanitarian aid along the Poland-Belarus border.
Judge Acquits Activists in Humanitarian Aid Case
The Regional Court in Hajnówka acquitted five activists who had been charged with smuggling migrants after the prosecutors failed to present sufficient evidence.
Initial Charges and Timeline
The five activists, who became known as the “Hajnówka Five,” faced initial charges of aiding migrants illegally cross the Polish border. However, after two years, these charges were amended. One of the activists was charged with illegally supplying food and clothing to migrants while they were in the woods, as well as providing them with useful information in the event of an arrest, shelter, and rest, and transporting them deeper into the country. The remaining four were charged with transporting migrants.
Possible Future Legal Uncertainty
The ruling is not yet final and appeal proceedings could potentially overturn the acquittal. The case spans back to when border guards arrested four activists in March 2022 who attempted to help an Iraqi family of nine and one Egyptian citizen at the Poland-Belarus border. Despite the initial charges, the activists were acquitted with the ruling emphasizing a lack of evidence of their involvement in any criminal activity.
