Prosecutors in Bielsko-Biała have suspended the case against two members of an Israeli judo team accused of assaulting and insulting a Polish referee during a youth tournament earlier this year.
Stalled Legal Proceedings
Prosecutors from the Bielsko-Biała South District Office officially charged two members of the Israeli team with insulting and violating the physical integrity of a Polish referee. However, the proceedings have been formally suspended.
The District Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson, Małgorzata Moś-Brachowska, explained that the suspension is due to the current inability to interrogate the suspects. Authorities are attempting to coordinate legal assistance within the EU, but geopolitical conditions currently prevent sending legal requests to Israel.
Details of the Tournament Incident
The incident occurred during the “Overcoming Borders” International Judo Tournament. According to organizer Tomasz Chmielniak, the conflict began when the coach of an Israeli club contested a referee’s decision following a loss, subsequently striking the official and triggering a physical altercation.
Security footage captured the confrontation, showing the Polish side attempting to de-escalate the situation. Although police were called to the scene, the parties involved eventually calmed down, and the Israeli participants were excluded from the remainder of the competition.
