Prosecutors have charged four men, aged 30 to 43, in connection with the death of 13-year-old Mikołaj, who died following a confrontation in the village of Arklity on May 16.
Legal proceedings against the suspects
Four men were detained by police in Kętrzyn following the death of a 13-year-old boy. The suspects, aged 30 to 43, were questioned as suspects, and their files were submitted to the prosecutor’s office on Monday, May 18.
On Tuesday, May 19, prosecutor Jolanta Rzepko confirmed that investigators requested a three-month temporary arrest for the four men. The prosecutor noted that the detainees provided explanations indicating their participation in the crime, though their specific roles differed.
Criminal charges filed
One man has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm leading to the death of Mikołaj. The other three face charges of aiding and abetting the crime. All four are also charged with failing to provide assistance and leaving the boy in a situation of direct threat to his life.
The qualification of the charges was based on initial investigative actions at the scene. While an autopsy identified brain and lung edema, a forensic expert will provide a final opinion on the cause and mechanism of the injuries after histopathological and toxicological examinations.
Details of the incident in Arklity
The event occurred on May 16 in the village of Arklity, Barciany municipality. Police received a report of an altercation between two groups around 8:00 PM. Mikołaj was discovered in a swampy area near Lake Arklickie; resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.
According to unofficial reports, the incident began with a confrontation with an adult man, followed by a chase involving the man’s brothers. Prosecutor Rzepko confirmed the detainees are related to each other but not to the victim.
Community mourning and support
The local community in Barciany has been left in shock. Wójt Marta Kamińska has announced psychological support for students in the area and urged the public to refrain from spreading speculation and inflammatory comments on social media.
Educational institutions in the region have adjusted their schedules to pay respects to the victim. The school in Mołtajne canceled a planned assembly, replacing it with a memorial mass dedicated to Mikołaj.