Last winter, former councillor Bogusław N. went to Jelenia Góra to attend a meeting with Janusz Palikot and parked his car improperly. Most participants at the meeting had trouble parking their cars on the snow-covered road. The cars were blocking the street, and the Municipal Police intervened.

An argument broke out between the Bolesławiec resident and the officers. One of them, Marcin J., accused Bogusław N. of deliberately driving over his foot while manoeuvring the car. As a result, the officer allegedly lost his balance, fell, hit his head and suffered injuries to his spine and knee. An investigation into the matter was launched in mid-December 2010.

Jelenia Góra portal attacks Bolesławiec resident

The case attracted considerable media attention because it involved not only a former councillor, but also a recent candidate for mayor of Bolesławiec. Residents of Bolesławiec learned about the incident the very next day from a local portal based in Jelenia Góra.

The article “Municipal police officer run over by politician from Bolesławiec” was more of a scathing, unapologetic indictment of the Bolesławiec resident than a report of the incident. The anonymous author presented only the officers’ version and quoted the commander of the Jelenia Góra Municipal Police. He stated that the officer had been deliberately run over twice.

Provocation or wounded pride?

– Bogusław N.’s actions did not bear the characteristics of a criminal offence – Violetta Niziołek, spokesperson for the Jelenia Góra prosecutor’s office, told us. – The prosecutor determined that officer Marcin J. had suffered harm to his health lasting fewer than seven days. This does not, of course, prevent the injured party from bringing a civil action. The officer filed a complaint with the court, and the court may not share our view – Niziołek added.

Bogusław N.’s version was confirmed by the prosecutor’s office, but the officer appears determined and continues to pursue his rights. The whole matter is certainly given added spice by the fact that, while running for mayor, the Bolesławiec resident called for the abolition of the Bolesławiec Municipal Police. It was one of the points in his election platform.

The confrontation with the officers in a foreign city was interpreted by some Bolesławiec residents as a personal grudge held by the former councillor against law-enforcement officers. The Jelenia Góra officers probably had no idea whose car they had asked him to move. Perhaps that was the main cause of the argument.

(information: Grażyna Hanaf)