-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
Poland’s lower house of parliament, the Sejm, has passed a bill granting legal protection to Polish citizens who fought on Ukraine’s side in the war against Russia, Polish outlet PolskieRadio24 reported on February 13.
The legislation, approved by an overwhelming majority, exempts volunteers from criminal liability for serving in the Ukrainian military without prior authorization from Poland’s Ministry of National Defense. Under previously existing Polish law, such service was punishable by three months to five years in prison.
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The vote was nearly unanimous. A total of 406 MPs supported the bill, 19 abstained, and four voted against it, including members of Grzegorz Braun’s Confederation of the Polish Crown and one Law and Justice (PiS) deputy. Support came across the political spectrum, including Law and Justice, the Civic Coalition, the Polish People’s Party, Poland 2050, and smaller groupings, PolskieRadio24 wrote.
The bill introduces an amnesty not only for those currently fighting in Ukraine but also for individuals already convicted under the previous rules. It also covers cases involving recruitment of Polish citizens or residents into the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to the proposed provisions, the amnesty period is retroactive, beginning on April 6, 2014, when fighting erupted in Ukraine’s Lyhansk and Donetsk regions following Russia’s intervention. The legislation will now move to the Senate for further consideration.
PolskieRadio24 noted that the exact number of Poles who have fought or continue to fight alongside Ukraine remains unclear.
Earlier, a Polish man who traveled to Ukraine in 2023 to verify reports of Russia’s invasion was allegedly tortured to death in a Russian detention facility.
The individual, identified as Krzysztof Galos from Kraków, reportedly crossed into Ukraine in mid-April 2023. According to reports, he was skeptical of news coverage about the war and decided to investigate the situation personally.
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
