A 47-year-old former Territorial Defense soldier has been remanded in custody for three months after allegedly dousing his son’s friend in gasoline and setting him on fire in the Łęczna County.
Charges and Court Decision
Judge Marta Śmiech of the Lublin Regional Court confirmed the suspect will remain in custody until August 29 due to the severity of the potential sentence. The 47-year-old faces charges of attempted murder with extreme cruelty, causing grievous bodily harm, and making criminal threats, which carry a potential penalty of life imprisonment.
The Incident
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred on a property in Łęczna County on Sunday afternoon. Two men in their twenties were repairing a car when the suspect arrived. Following an argument, the suspect allegedly doused the victim in gasoline and set him ablaze.
Condition of the Victim and Arrest
The victim is in critical condition at a specialized burn treatment center in Łęczna. Police apprehended the suspect in a neighboring town shortly after the attack; he was found to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of his arrest.
Military Discharge
The Territorial Defense Force (WOT) confirmed the man served in the 2nd Lublin Territorial Defense Brigade but has since been discharged. The brigade commander stated that the service has no place for behavior damaging the reputation of the Polish Armed Forces.
No Connection to Military Duties
WOT emphasized that the incident was entirely unrelated to the suspect’s military service or official duties. The organization stated it will provide no further information due to the ongoing investigation.
