Witness intimidation in Suwałki: court announces final verdicts
The Regional Court in Suwałki issued final verdicts in the case of four defendants accused of intimidating two witnesses who were threatened with, among other things, having their hand amputated and having a machete held to their necks.
Witness intimidation in Suwałki: court announces final verdicts
The Regional Court in Suwałki has issued final verdicts, condemning four perpetrators for intimidating two people who were to give testimony in a drug case. The main defendant—the partner of a man detained for drug trafficking—attempted to influence the witnesses to change their testimonies in favour of her partner.
In May 2025, one of the victims was unlawfully imprisoned in the woman's flat. Her acquaintances held a machete to his neck, threatening amputation of his limb. The victim was also burned with a cigarette near the temple area, forced to kneel and to imitate barking sounds. Additionally, they tattooed the sign "60" on his forearm with a pen.
The second victim endured even worse torture. The defendants forced her to undress, took photographs of her naked body, and also wounded her with a knife. The purpose of these actions was to compel her to give testimony favourable to the main defendant's partner.
Initially, the court sentenced the main defendant to 3 years and 8 months in prison for five offences. The remaining three co-perpetrators received sentences ranging from 15 months to 2.5 years in prison. The prosecution demanded that the verdicts be upheld, whilst the defence lawyers of three of the four convicted appealed.
After considering the appeals, the appellate court upheld the defendants' guilt but changed the sentences. Ultimately, the perpetrators were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 1 year and 8 months to 3 years and 4 months. The ruling is final.
Source: Google News PL — Crime (pl)