# Gliwice road destruction incident > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gliwice-road-destruction-incident > Updated: 2026-08-12T11:26:00.000Z. Sources: 34. Developments: 3. A 60-year-old farmer in Gliwice, Poland, identified as Józef M., was arrested after using an Ursus tractor equipped with a plow to destroy approximately 200 meters of freshly laid asphalt on Rybacka Street on August 7, 2026. The suspect admitted to the act, claiming the road was part of his private property and that the renovation was illegal. However, the Gliwice City Road Authority (ZDM) and local officials denied these claims, asserting that land ownership records and registries confirm the road has been municipal property for over 20 years. Investigators noted that the suspect had previously applied for the division of plots that included the land intended for the road. Damage estimates for the asphalt and road subbase range between 300,000 and 400,000 PLN. The individual faces charges for destroying property of significant value, which carries a potential prison sentence of one to 10 years. Following a prosecutor's request, a court ordered a three-month temporary detention, citing the severity of the potential penalty and the risk of further illegal actions. The decision to use temporary arrest has sparked debate. While legal experts and politicians, including Janusz Wojciechowski, have criticized the measure as “disproportionate for a non-violent land dispute,” the Polish Ombudsman has launched an inquiry into the detention to ensure that the suspect's human rights and freedoms have not been violated. Public reaction remains divided; local residents and agricultural representatives have expressed concern that such actions damage the reputation of the farming community, while neighbors described the man as a long-standing, confrontational figure regarding land boundaries. ## Claims - A court has ordered a three-month temporary arrest for the suspect. (corroborated by 3 sources) - A 60-year-old man admitted to destroying approximately 200 meters of new asphalt using an Ursus tractor and a plow. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The City of Gliwice maintains that Rybacka Street is entirely municipal property and not private land. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The prosecutor's office is supervising criminal proceedings regarding the destruction of the road surface on Rybacka Street. (single source) - Estimated losses amount to 300,000 PLN. (single source) - The disputed land was transferred to the municipality over 20 years ago through administrative decisions. (single source) - The suspect was sober at the time of his arrest. (single source) - The tractor used in the incident lacked mandatory third-party liability insurance. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-12: Gliwice farmer arrested after destroying new asphalt road A 60-year-old farmer in Gliwice, Poland, was arrested for destroying 200 meters of new asphalt with a tractor. The Polish Ombudsman is reviewing his three-month detention. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gliwice-farmer-arrested-after-destroying-new-asphalt-road ### 2026-08-10: Gliwice farmer arrested after plowing new asphalt road A farmer in Gliwice has been arrested for three months after plowing 200 meters of new asphalt, claiming the road was on his private land despite city ownership records. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gliwice-farmer-arrested-for-plowing-up-new-asphalt-road ### 2026-08-08: Gliwice farmer arrested for plowing through new asphalt A 60-year-old farmer in Gliwice, Poland, was arrested and detained for three months after plowing through 200 meters of newly laid asphalt, causing roughly 400,000 PLN in damages. 21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gliwice-farmer-plows-through-newly-laid-asphalt-city-confirms-road-is-municipal --- Cite as: Gliwice road destruction incident. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gliwice-road-destruction-incident