Stories from Poland

Henrik Erp, also known as 'World Shope', has been released from prison after serving a 10-year sentence for attempted robbery in 2016. He will remain under court supervision with electronic monitoring. Erp has a criminal record involving nearly 30 assaults on women.

A Polish journalist has regained freedom after spending more than five years in Belarusian prisons and colonies. The Polish-Belarusian journalist was released as part of a prisoner exchange. The group released to the Polish side included Father Gawę and a Belarusian citizen who cooperated with Polish services. The release follows a period of detention and is expected to help resolve a dispute between the Polish government and the President. The report noted the presence of Americans during the circumstances surrounding the release. The FSB stated that the return of Russians was made possible through a multi-stage operation conducted jointly with the Belarusian KGB. Poczobut is the head of the Union of Poles in Belarus and has spent many years in prison on political charges.

Three 9-year-olds were identified as the perpetrators of a fire that occurred Sunday in the Nowa Huta district of Krakow. The blaze destroyed two outbuildings, resulting in estimated losses of approximately 170,000 PLN.

Human rights defender Anna Gawina noted that a Belarusian prisoner is facing severe health issues and a lack of consistent medical assistance. The prisoner was reportedly placed in solitary confinement multiple times over a five-year period and denied contact with relatives. Gawina expressed hope that Andrzej Koszogód will have the opportunity for a safe life following his release. Stefanowicz Walenciń, vice-chairman of the Center for Defense of Human Rights, described harsh conditions faced by political prisoners in Poland. Walenciń, who was released from Łukaszanka prison in March, stated he was held in a very cold cell without warm clothing in 2023.

Marcin Kozak from the Lublin District Prosecutor's Office confirmed the discovery of dangerous substances, including radioactive materials, on a private property in Parczew. The find is described as a dangerous discovery. Toxic, corrosive, flammable, explosive, and carcinogenic radioactive substances were discovered on a private property in Parczew. District Prosecutor Marcin Kozak from Lublin confirmed the substances were secured. The prosecutor ordered the immediate transport of the radioactive materials to a waste neutralization facility in Odfoski due to the severity of the situation. Preliminary expert opinions indicate that the illegal toxic waste site in Parczew contains substances that are toxic, corrosive, flammable, explosive, and carcinogenic.

Political parties PiS, PSL, TD, Lewica, and Polska 2050 have declared support for a project expanding the catalog of national minorities in Poland. The project grants national minority status to the Greek community. The Konfederacja Club declared it does not support the measure.

The Wroclaw municipality spent 900 million zloty on investments, representing approximately 60 to 69 percent of a planned 1.3 billion zloty. Current operating expenses for the office increased by 500 million zloty, according to Anna Kołodziej of the Nowa Lewica party.

A meteorite fell in Koluszki during the first day of the Polish Meteorite Society conference. Researchers are using camera stations to triangulate the flight path of a meteorite through the atmosphere to determine its impact site.

Polish Parliament penalized MPs Dariusz Matecki and Michał Woś for displaying boards regarding a pedophilia scandal in Kłodzko during a Sejm session on April 17. Włodzimierz Czarzasty excluded the lawmakers from proceedings.

The campaign against homophobia reports that at least 1,000 couples in Poland may wish to register marriages performed abroad into Polish civil registries. The information was shared by Jola, Alicja, and Judge Iwona Tchórzewska. Przemek Walaz of the anti-homophobia campaign estimates approximately 1,000 couples have married abroad. These figures are cautious estimates as there is currently no monitoring from the Ministry of Interior and Administration to verify the exact number. Polish courts are reportedly issuing rulings that require civil registry officials to transcribe these foreign marriage certificates.