The proceedings concern causing an incident threatening the lives and health of many people in the form of an explosion of explosive materials, that is, an offense under Article 164 § 1 of the Penal Code.
Preliminary findings indicate that at approximately 7:40 p.m., two corroded pieces of unexploded ordnance—OZM-72 antipersonnel mines, most likely dating from World War II—were discovered in a rubbish bin and nearby bushes.
Due to the danger, officers of the Police and the State Fire Service in Jelenia Góra secured the area and established a safety zone.
Approximately 160 people staying in the shopping gallery and 11 residents of nearby buildings were evacuated.
Police bomb-disposal experts were called to the scene and secured the items that had been found.
During the investigation, a man who had thrown the unexploded ordnance into the rubbish bin was identified. That person has not been arrested so far.
Measures are currently being taken to arrest the perpetrator. Once he is brought to the Prosecutor’s Office, the prosecutor will present the suspect with a charge of committing an offense under Article 164 § 1 of the Penal Code, which is punishable by up to 8 years’ imprisonment.
Ewa Węglarowicz-Makowska – press spokeswoman of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Jelenia Góra