During the ongoing football match between Zagłębie Lubin and GKS Katowice, which took place on 31 August this year, the home fans set off flares in the stands. The matter was handled by criminal investigators.
Thanks to the officers’ findings and surveillance footage, one of the men suspected of committing this act was identified and arrested. He was masked while carrying it out and had additionally changed his clothes. However, the young fan did not escape responsibility thanks to the evidence collected by the officers.
The 21-year-old resident of Góra County was taken to a police cell and then brought before the District Court in Lubin. For possessing and setting off pyrotechnic articles in the form of signal flares, as well as covering his face with a balaclava during the match in order to prevent recognition, the suspect received two verdicts at an expedited hearing.
In total, he will have to pay fines amounting to 4,000 zlotys and will be banned from attending all mass events for the next two years.
Police continue to analyse the surveillance footage and do not rule out further arrests in the case.
We remind you that a flare is a pyrotechnic article and, under the Act on the Safety of Mass Events, anyone who possesses pyrotechnic articles, fire-hazardous materials or other explosive objects or materials at a sporting event is subject to a fine and a penalty of restriction or deprivation of liberty ranging from 3 months to 5 years.
Additionally, anyone who, at the place and during the course of a mass sporting event, uses an item of clothing or an object to prevent or significantly hinder the identification of a person is subject to a penalty of restriction of liberty or a fine of no less than 2,000 zlotys.
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