Polish soldiers fired warning shots at the German-Polish border on Tuesday. The reason: a German wanted to cross the border to Poland, which was closed due to the corona virus.
- When a German tried to cross the border to Poland on Tuesday , Polish soldiers fired warning shots .
- Because of the corona pandemic, Poland closed its borders to foreigners on March 13th .
- Regardless of this incident, the Polish government is currently heavily criticized - the EU Commission has also intervened.
Warsaw - After a German had entered Poland without permission , Polish soldiers fired two warning shots at the closed border with the Czech Republic . The man remained unharmed, said a spokesman for the responsible Polish army unit on Wednesday at the German Press Agency in Warsaw. The incident occurred on Tuesday at a border crossing in the village of Pilszcz in the Opole Voivodeship, a few kilometers north of the Czech city of Opava (Troppau).
Warning shots on the border with Poland: soldiers overwhelmed the cross-border commuter
Since March 13, Poland has closed its borders as protection against the spread of the coronavirus for foreigners *. According to the army spokesman, the German drove up to the border post in a car. When the soldiers informed him that he was not allowed to enter Poland, the man got out of the car and walked to the Polish side. "He did not respond to the request to stop," said the army spokesman. The soldiers finally fired two warning shots and overwhelmed the man .
The German, who has his permanent residence in the Czech Republic , was then handed over to the Polish border guards. "He couldn't explain what he wanted in Poland," said a spokeswoman. Because of illegally crossing the border who had man a fine of the equivalent of 110 euros get and was brought back to the Czech Republic.
Three women were also recently stopped at the border section
At the same border section, Polish soldiers had stopped three Czech women just a few days ago after unintentionally entering Polish territory while riding horses. "The riders were instructed by the border guards and returned to the Czech Republic," said the army spokesman. In contrast to the German, they would have acted without purpose.
Poland's government has long been criticized regardless of the recent border event . Observers fear that the Polish rule of law is in danger . Critics of the right-wing conservative governing party PiS have accused the judicial system of rebuilding for years in their favor and, for example, putting judges under pressure. The EU Commission launched an infringement procedure against Poland on Wednesday morning because of the recent law on discipline of judges .
Poland's government is criticized - controversial law restricts judges
The law requires judges to face fines, downgrading, or dismissal if they question the decision-making powers or legality of another judge, chamber, or court. Nor are they allowed to be politically active. The Commission believes that this law undermines the independence of Polish judges and does not respect the primacy of EU law over national law. It also violates the right to privacy and the protection of personal data.
While Poland's government is cracking down on the law on discipline of judges and strict border closure, other corona restrictions have already been relaxed in the Eastern European country . You can see what loosening is in the video below.
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.