Man arrested after major Warsaw metro incident

26 June 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

A 22-year-old man sparked a major Warsaw metro incident, closing half the line. Courts ordered three months’ detention while prosecutors investigate.

A 22-year-old French citizen forced the closure of half of Warsaw’s metro on Wednesday. The Warsaw metro incident led to a three-month pre-trial detention order by a court and a transfer of the case to a military prosecutor’s division.

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What happened in the Warsaw metro incident

Shortly before 7:00 a.m., operators detected an unauthorised person in the tunnel between Ursynów and Służew. Consequently, authorities suspended service on the stretch from Kabaty to Politechnika. Moreover, trains ran only on a shortened route while surface buses replaced metro services.

The man bypassed technical barriers that protect critical infrastructure. Therefore officials treat this action as more than a simple trespass. In addition, investigators later found damage to a station ventilation element. However, police did not find weapons or explosives on the suspect. Furthermore, officers confirmed the man was sober when arrested.

Police response, charges and legal path

Police detained the man as he exited the tunnel at Służew station. Consequently, prosecutors initially charged him under Article 254a of the Polish Penal Code, which covers attempted attacks on infrastructure. Moreover, the local prosecutor transferred the file to the 8th Division for Military Affairs at the regional prosecutor’s office. Therefore prosecutors signal they treat this incident as potentially serious.

The court ordered three months of pre-trial detention. However, detention is part of the investigation. It does not equal a criminal conviction. In addition, prosecutors say they will not disclose further details to protect the inquiry. Thus the case may take months before it reaches trial.

Impact on passengers and practical steps

The shutdown disrupted morning commutes across southern Warsaw. Consequently, many commuters missed work, appointments, or exams. Metro operators restored service after initial checks. However, police returned later for expanded searches. Therefore authorities closed ten stations that afternoon and brought in explosive-detection dogs.

If you missed work, you can request a written confirmation of the metro stoppage from the city or Metro Warszawskie. Most employers accept this note. In addition, the city or the operator may seek civil damages from the suspect to recover the cost of replacement transport. Therefore civil claims may run separately from the criminal case.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: As an expat you have rights in Polish criminal proceedings. You can request a sworn interpreter (tłumacz przysięgły) and a lawyer. Moreover, pre-trial detention is not a guilty verdict. In addition, Article 254a targets attacks on critical infrastructure, so prosecutors treat such cases seriously. If you need proof of the disruption, ask Metro Warszawskie or the city for a written certificate. Also contact your embassy for consular advice. For everyday context, PESEL is the national ID number, ZUS runs pensions and social insurance, and NFZ manages public health insurance. Finally, keep copies of receipts for any extra travel costs; they may help in civil claims.

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