Ukrainian Man Deported From Poland After Throwing Backpack Onto Warsaw Metro Tracks

A 38-year-old Ukrainian citizen who caused a nearly two-hour paralysis of the M1 metro line in central Warsaw by throwing his backpack onto the tracks has been deported.

Deportation and Schengen Ban Issued

A 38-year-old Ukrainian citizen, who threw his backpack onto the tracks at the Centrum metro station and caused an almost two-hour paralysis of part of the M1 line, has been deported from Poland. The man also received a ten-year re-entry ban to Poland and the other Schengen Area countries.

The incident occurred on Monday, July 20, at around 5:00 PM at the Centrum metro station. According to the services, the 38-year-old threw his backpack onto the tracks and then left the station. The abandoned luggage was treated as a potential threat, prompting the suspension of train traffic and operations by services, including police pyrotechnicians.

Metro Station Closures and Traffic Disruption

At 5:14 PM, Warsaw Public Transport announced the closure of four stations on the first metro line: Centrum, Świętokrzyska, Ratusz Arsenał, and Dworzec Gdański. Trains operated on shortened routes between Kabaty and Politechnika, and between Młocini and Wilson Square. Replacement bus and tram lines were launched for passengers, and normal traffic organization began to be restored after 5:00 PM.

The backpack was thoroughly checked. No explosives or other dangerous items were found inside, only personal belongings belonging to the man. However, the necessity to rule out the threat caused the evacuation of the station and serious difficulties for passengers using the metro during the afternoon rush hour.

Swift Police Detention and Investigation

Police officers quickly identified the person responsible for the incident. The 38-year-old Ukrainian citizen was detained in the Marszałkowska Street area less than an hour after throwing the backpack onto the tracks, and subsequently remained at the disposal of officers conducting proceedings in the case.

Investigators found no evidence that the man was acting on anyone’s orders. The incident was treated as a hooligan prank and classified as an offense. Following the completion of police activities, the 38-year-old was handed over to Border Guard officers.

Return Decision and Execution

A return decision was issued against the Ukrainian citizen. Piotr Niemiec from the press team of the Vistula River Border Guard Unit stated that the man was deemed an undesirable person on the territory of Poland, receiving a ten-year entry ban to both Poland and all other Schengen member states.

The decision has already been executed. Border Guard officers escorted the 38-year-old to the border, after which the man returned to Ukraine.