Investigation into abuse of Kononowicz expanded – prosecution examines additional charges
The prosecution office in Białystok is considering expanding the investigation into Krzysztof Kononowicz to include endangering his life. No charges have been brought against anyone to date.
Prosecution examines more aspects in Kononowicz case – investigation could last for months
The District Prosecution Office Białystok-Południe is considering expanding the investigation into Krzysztof Kononowicz to include additional articles of the Penal Code, according to wiadomosci.radiozet.pl, which first revealed details of the proceedings. Until now, the investigation had covered only the aspect of psychological abuse of the man. Prosecutors are now analysing whether he was also exposed to direct danger of loss of life or health.
This concerns article 160 § 1 of the Penal Code, which is punishable by up to three years' imprisonment. Importantly, committing this crime does not require intentional action – negligence or failure to consider the consequences of one's own actions is sufficient. It is enough that the victim found himself in a situation of danger, even if he did not suffer direct harm to his health.
Investigators point to specific circumstances from Kononowicz's life which may constitute the elements of this act. The man, who suffered from diabetes, was supplied with milk and sweet drinks by his "carers". His home was in an extremely dirty condition with a foul odour. In the final weeks of Kononowicz's life, he barely moved and was in a very poor physical and mental state.
25 witnesses questioned, medical documentation secured
Within a few weeks of resuming the proceedings, investigators from Białystok carried out a series of actions which they had not performed during the almost nine months of the previous investigation, which ended with a discontinuance in December of last year.
Prosecutor Ewa Bułat, deputy prosecutor of the Białystok-Południe district, confirmed in correspondence with RadioZET.pl: "Currently, following the resumption of proceedings, a total of 25 witnesses have been questioned, including members of Krzysztof Kononowicz's immediate family, members of the Medical Rescue Team and other persons who were present in Krzysztof Kononowicz's flat. The case has obtained complete medical documentation covering the years encompassed by the investigation and it is being analysed."
The investigation covers the period from 22 December 2022 to 6 March 2025, the day of Kononowicz's death. Both the medical personnel who intervened at the man's home in Białystok and other persons who appeared there have been questioned. Some of them were visible in films published online; they included persons from the margins of society who abused alcohol.
Main charge: psychological abuse of a vulnerable person
The central aspect of the investigation remains the crime of psychological abuse of Kononowicz, who due to his mental state was a vulnerable person. The charge encompasses "humiliation, harassment, provoking quarrels, directing towards the victim words commonly regarded as insulting, ridicule and criticism". This carries a penalty of up to eight years' imprisonment.
The prosecution has already analysed video materials from the "Mleczny Człowiek" channel. However, it has not disclosed whether hard drives with video data or security camera recordings from Kononowicz's property were secured. These pieces of evidence may prove crucial – not all recordings documenting the man's humiliation were posted on YouTube, and surveillance could have captured actions constituting abuse, including the digging of a grave behind his house or the placing of candles.
No charges brought, investigation extended
The prosecution did not provide an answer to the question of whether filming a helpless man in staged scenes – including drinking urine, being covered in faeces, reading hate-filled letters subsequently published online for financial gain – constitutes a criminal offence.
"Once full evidentiary material has been gathered, the proceedings will be analysed again. Currently no charges have been brought against anyone," wrote prosecutor Bułat.
The investigation has been extended to 17 June of this year, but all indications suggest it will continue for several more months. Prosecutor Bułat noted that its extension is likely necessary "due to the need to carry out further actions in the case".
Background: the "Mleczny Człowiek" channel and Sławomir N.
The "Mleczny Człowiek" channel run by Sławomir N. contains recordings in which Kononowicz was humiliated: he was given urine to drink, faeces were delivered in packages, someone covered his house in faeces. The man appeared in, among other things, a crown of thorns, hate-filled letters were read to him in which he was called a "knur" and "Poland's last ch**", and his home was covered in faeces.
In Białystok, Sławomir N. was working with, among others, Jarek "Aron" and activist Rafał Kosno. Following RadioZET.pl's intervention regarding the discontinuance of the investigation, a statement was published on the channel in which the authors denied the allegations of abuse. They claimed they were not Kononowicz's legal guardians and that the man was not mistreated.
The District Prosecution Office Białystok-Południe initiated an investigation into the psychological abuse of Kononowicz in April 2025, a month after his death. The previous proceedings were discontinued on 29 December of last year, finding no evidence of a crime. This decision provoked widespread outrage, including among those fighting for justice for the deceased man.
Source: Google News PL