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Poland weighs raising penalty for disobeying combat orders to life in prison, daily reports

14.07.2026 11:30
Poland's Justice Ministry is considering raising the maximum penalty for soldiers who refuse combat orders from three years to as much as life imprisonment, the Rzeczpospolita daily reported Tuesday.
FILE PHOTO: Polish soldiers.
FILE PHOTO: Polish soldiers.REUTERS/Kacper Pempel

According to the paper, the ministry, working with the Defense Ministry and other bodies, is weighing changes to the criminal code governing military discipline.

A proposal drawn up by the Criminal Law Codification Commission is already on the table, the paper said, with experts recommending tougher penalties for soldiers who disobey orders in combat situations.

"Experts are proposing to raise the upper limit from the current three years in prison to 30 years, or even life imprisonment", Rzeczpospolita wrote.

The Ministry of Justice said the proposal has been included in its analytical work, though no formal draft or decision has yet been made.

Retired Gen. Roman Polko, former commander of Poland's GROM special forces unit, criticized the proposed changes, according to the paper.

"Soldiers in combat situations aren't particularly concerned with the severity of the penalty for insubordination. It makes no difference whether it's 5, 50 or 100 years in prison when people are thinking about staying alive or saving their comrades", Polko said. He argued that the key to military discipline lies in smart command and building a culture of responsibility among soldiers.

(jh)

Source: PAP