In Warsaw, two Norwegian nationals wanted under European Arrest Warrants were detained while attempting to bring their 5-year-old daughter from Norway, according to a spokesperson for the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office. After questioning, prosecutors decided against imposing any preventive measures at this stage.
The arrest of the two Norwegians, both subject to European warrants, occurred in Warsaw on August 9, as stated by the office’s spokesman.
A woman and a man face Norwegian charges for taking their daughter from Norway in August 2022. They reportedly removed her from the Oslo and Viken child welfare services, which had decided to place the child in foster care. The act is described as falling under Article 261 and Article 15 of the Norwegian Penal Code, corresponding to Article 211 of the Polish Penal Code, according to the prosecutor.
The prosecutor noted that the Norwegian defendant said she had chosen to live in Poland to change her life. She also confirmed that Norwegian social services had monitored the child’s upbringing, noting that the mother herself had grown up in care.
A Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson said there had been no negative reports about the child’s upbringing.
At the time of departure from Norway, the mother did not hold limited parental authority and she was not aware of any administrative decisions or court rulings concerning her child, the prosecutor observed.
According to the Norwegian side, the plan was to move the child out of Norway in August 2022, while prosecutors contend that the child left Norway with the mother at the end of September or October 2022. The mother traveled alone, without the child’s father, who was then her former partner, the prosecutor emphasized.
The father, who was arrested in connection with the case, confirmed the general circumstances reported by the suspect. He indicated he was unaware of any court rulings and recently flew from Norway to Poland on August 2, 2023. He intends to remain in Poland until his daughter starts school, to ensure he can attend the school-year opening ceremony, according to the spokesman.
The Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office decided not to seek preventive detention for the two Norwegians while Norwegian authorities pursue their case. The decision was based on a comprehensive review of the case materials and the ongoing nature of the extradition process, the spokesman added.
Permanent residence in Warsaw
The prosecutor noted that the mother and her daughter have established permanent residence in Warsaw. The defendants raised questions about their lack of awareness of Norwegian judgments, and both expressed willingness to cooperate with the prosecutor’s office and the court. The father, who travels between Poland and Norway, has been moving to be present for his daughter’s schooling, including the start of the school year.
In light of the arguments presented, the discussion around the case will continue under Poland’s equivalent to the crime described in Article 211 of the Penal Code. The specifics of the case remain to be clarified through ongoing proceedings, the prosecutor said.
Ultimately, preventive measures were not applied, and the case will proceed under conditions that respect the accused persons’ freedom while extradition issues are resolved.
Further remarks on the matter were withheld as the proceedings move forward.
Note: readers may encounter related commentary from legal authorities about the European Arrest Warrant framework and ongoing reforms related to judicial processes in Europe (attribution: official statements and coverage). [attribution: wPolityce]