The mayor of Puławy, a city in eastern Poland, will serve five days in jail after local authorities refused to pay a fine stemming from a complaint about excessive noise caused by children at a sports field.
The case dates back to 2018, when a couple living near an elementary school in Puławy complained about “noise and excessive lighting” from the sports facility. After a lengthy legal battle, the court ruled in December 2023 that the city must pay a fine of 5,000 złoty.
Mayor Paweł Maj initially declared that the municipality had no intention of paying the fine. As a result, the penalty was converted into a five-day jail term for the official representing the city—the mayor himself.
Maj is set to serve his sentence starting April 7.
“I am taking vacation days from work for this period. I am personally covering the bailiff’s costs and my time in custody,” he told reporters.
According to Maj, his decision aims to highlight the absurdity of the lawsuit. He pointed out that Poland has 2,600 school sports fields, and similar lawsuits threaten children’s right to play sports.
“If none of us in government reacts, nothing will change,” he added.
