Xenophobic Attack on Ukrainian Taxi Driver in Częstochowa Leads to Arrest

A 48-year-old woman in Częstochowa was arrested and charged with national discrimination after verbally and physically assaulting a Ukrainian taxi driver in front of a child over an unplanned stop.

The Dispute and Attack During a Ride

The attack occurred during a ride ordered via an application in Częstochowa, Silesian Voivodeship. The female passenger, traveling with a young girl, asked the driver to stop at a liquor store mid-trip, a route not previously marked in the order.

When 35-year-old Maksym, who arrived from Ukraine five years ago and has worked as a taxi driver for three months, replied that he did not have time for that, the woman began insulting him, referencing his nationality.

On the dashcam recording, the passenger can be heard asking the driver if he speaks Polish, followed by vulgar and xenophobic remarks such as “What, you f***ing don’t have, what don’t you have?” and “You f***ing Ukrainian b***h,” while striking the man in the back of the head.

The agitated woman then attempted to exit the moving car with the child, forcing the driver to stop immediately for safety reasons. After further physical altercation, the passenger finally left the vehicle.

The entire incident was recorded by a dashcam. The footage was published by the Wiadomości Częstochowa service and quickly spread across the internet.

The driver emphasized that he had never encountered a similar situation before, explaining that the stop was not in the app and her sudden attempt to exit prompted his immediate safety stop.

Police and Prosecutor Response

Częstochowa police contacted the injured driver, accepted his report on suspicion of a crime, and secured the in-car monitoring footage.

The 48-year-old suspect turned herself in at the police station, where initial procedures were performed before she was detained, according to Marlena Leszczyniak of the Częstochowa Municipal Police Command.

The woman was brought to the District Prosecutor’s Office in Częstochowa, where she was charged with discrimination based on national origin. The prosecutor applied police supervision, a ban on approaching the victim, and financial bail, with the penal code providing up to five years of imprisonment for this crime.

As noted by “Fakt,” because a minor child traveling with the woman witnessed the entire event, the case will also be referred to the family court to assess the girl’s family situation.

Legal Context of Discrimination in Poland

Discrimination based on nationality, ethnic origin, or race is an offense prosecuted on public indictment in Poland. Anyone witnessing violence or aggression toward another person should immediately call the emergency number 112.