Police Seize Weapons After Threats Against Minister Marcin Kierwiński
A 41-year-old man faces criminal charges for threatening the Polish Interior Minister online.
1Threats via social media
Michał O., a 41-year-old resident near Złotoryja, was detained for posting death threats against Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński and his children. The offensive messages, containing vulgar language, were published on Facebook in early November. Police identified the suspect after tracing the account activity directly to his personal mobile phone device.
2Administrative weapon seizure
During the investigation, authorities discovered that the suspect held a legal permit for firearms. Police conducted a search at his residence and seized two weapons along with stored ammunition in an administrative procedure. This action aims to prevent potential escalation while the criminal investigation into the suspect's conduct remains ongoing.
3Suspect admits to charges
The District Prosecutor's Office in Legnica confirmed that Michał O. has been formally charged with making criminal threats. During questioning, the suspect admitted to the act but claimed he was intoxicated at the time of publication. He stated that he does not remember the specific content of his posts.
4Political motive and apology
Despite his hostile online behavior, the suspect claimed he holds different political views than Minister Kierwiński but never intended to cause actual physical harm. Following his detention, Michał O. issued a formal apology to the minister and his family. He maintains that the threats were not a reflection of genuine intent.
5Legal restrictions imposed
The District Prosecutor in Złotoryja has imposed strict precautionary measures against the suspect. These include mandatory police supervision and a formal prohibition on contacting the minister or his family through any medium. Additionally, the suspect is legally barred from approaching the victims within a distance of less than 100 meters.
6Prosecution and permit status
Minister Kierwiński has officially filed a request for prosecution, which is a necessary legal requirement for this type of case. The prosecutor is currently planning to file a motion to permanently revoke the suspect's firearms permit. Authorities have also ordered a comprehensive environmental interview to assess the suspect's background and behavior.
7Potential prison sentence
Spokesperson Liliana Łukasiewicz from the Legnica District Prosecutor's Office confirmed that the investigation is actively proceeding under their supervision. Under Polish law, the crime of making such threats carries a potential prison sentence ranging from one month to three years. The legal process will determine the final severity of the punishment.
8Broader context of threats
This incident follows a pattern of increasing online hostility directed toward high-ranking Polish officials. Similar security measures were recently taken in a separate case involving threats against Prime Minister Donald Tusk. These developments highlight the growing focus of law enforcement on monitoring digital spaces to ensure the safety of public figures.