The Appellate Court in Białystok has ruled on the case involving three women, two Poles and one German citizen, who were detained by Border Guard officers in May 2023 while attempting to assist illegal migrants at the Polish-Belarusian border. During their intervention, the activists claimed that the border guards used physical force against them and hurled vulgarities. The detainment resulted in the women being taken to different Border Guard facilities, where they reported having no access to a lawyer, a translator for the German citizen, and insufficient meals throughout their detention.

Initially, a first-instance court awarded each of the women 10,000 PLN in compensation and an additional 2,400 PLN to one for psychological support. However, the Border Guard's lawyer filed an appeal seeking to dismiss the claims. The Appellate Court in Białystok reviewed the case and ultimately upheld the women's claims, though it reduced the compensation to 5,000 PLN for each individual. This ruling signifies the court's recognition of the activists' plight and raises discussions regarding the treatment of individuals involved in migration assistance at the border.

This case reflects broader issues surrounding the handling of migration at the Polish-Belarusian border, highlighting not only the challenges faced by migrants but also the responses of local authorities and the judicial system in addressing such incidents. As the political landscape surrounding migration continues to evolve in Poland, this ruling could have implications for future cases involving activists and their role in supporting vulnerable populations at the border.