Silesians rise up against alleged police brutality

Rioting in Zawiercie on Monday night. Photo: TVN24/x-news

Adrian G., a resident of Poreba near Zawiercie, first appeared at the city’s hospital with multiple injuries, only to then go to a friend’s apartment where he collapsed, lost consciousness and died.

According to witness accounts, before he went to hospital, he was to have been beaten by police.

On Monday evening there was rioting in front of the district police station as around 150 people came to light candles in remembrance of Adrian G.

“We don’t accept this kind of incident,” the demonstrators exclaimed on Monday, “we know who did this!”

However, the situation got out of control when some of the demonstrators started throwing bricks and bottles at the police station. Andrzej Swieboda from Zawiercie Police told journalists that two police cars and some windows were broken as a result of the demonstrators’ actions.

Protestors also burnt a tyre outside the station which police forces called for back-up from the stations in Katowice and Czestochowa. No force was used.

Investigation under way

Meanwhile, prosecutors have begun an investigation into the death of Adrian G.
“We still haven’t ascertained whether the death of Adrian G. was due to police intervention,” Tomasz Ozimek from the District Prosecution in Czestochowa said.

“While witnesses have said that police forces intervened, we still do not have any evidence, but this will be the subject of investigation,” Ozimek added.

A preliminary autopsy has found that no third party was responsible for the man’s death. “The direct cause of death was the choking of vomit,” prosecutor Ozimek said.

“At the same time, experts have confirmed that the deceased’s body is covered in multiple abrasions and bruising on arms and legs,” he added.

“According to court experts, these injuries could not have resulted in death.” (jb)

Source: IAR