The Sejm passed a law on Friday on the use of weapons by Polish services. Among other things, it allows the army to be used for independent actions during peacetime on the territory of the country. The law will now go to the president's desk.
The Act on amending certain acts in order to improve the operations of the armed forces, police and border guard in the event of a threat to state security allows the army to be used for independent operations – not only to support the services Ministry of Interior and Administration – in times of peace in the territory of the country.
It also provides legal assistance to soldiers and officers of the Ministry of Interior and Administration services in the event of proceedings related to their use of weapons. The amendment introduces a contratype to the Penal Code – a provision recognizing that the improper use of weapons by soldiers and officers operating on the border in exceptional situations is not a crime.
This concerns the use of weapons or means of direct coercion if they were used, among other things, to repel a direct attack on the life, health or freedom of that soldier or another person, as well as to counteract actions aimed at an attack on the life, health or freedom of that soldier or another person. The condition for recognizing that such action by a soldier or officer is not a crime is the circumstances requiring immediate action.
Main image source: border guards