The Supreme Court of the United Arab Emirates has ruled that Sebastian M., accused of causing a tragic accident on the A1 highway, will be extradited to Poland. This decision marks a significant step towards justice for the family that lost their lives in the horrific crash.
On May 7, 2025, Minister of Justice Adam Bodnar announced via social media that the UAE Supreme Court rejected Sebastian M.'s appeal against the earlier decision regarding his extradition. "We have it! The Supreme Court of the United Arab Emirates did not consider Sebastian M.'s appeal against the ruling of the Dubai Court of Appeal, which confirmed the legal admissibility of his extradition to Poland," Bodnar stated. This ruling is now final, indicating the end of the judicial phase of the extradition process.
The final decision now rests with the Minister of Justice of the UAE, who will determine whether to hand Sebastian M. over to Polish authorities. Bodnar expressed gratitude to all involved in the case, including diplomats and prosecutors, stating, "This is a huge success for the Polish justice system and Polish diplomacy." He emphasized the importance of bringing the suspect to justice, especially for the victims' family.
The tragic incident occurred on September 16, 2023, in Sierosław, near Piotrków Trybunalski. A family of three, including a mother, father, and their five-year-old son, were traveling in a Kia when Sebastian M., reportedly driving a BMW at speeds exceeding 253 km/h, crashed into their vehicle. The impact caused the Kia to collide with energy-absorbing barriers, resulting in a fire that claimed the lives of all three family members.
Witnesses described the horrific scene, recounting screams but noting that no one could save the family trapped inside the burning car. Independent experts later estimated that Sebastian M. was traveling at over 300 km/h at the time of the accident. Initial police reports suggested only one vehicle was involved, but the truth emerged when a video of the crash surfaced online, revealing Sebastian M. as the driver of the BMW.
Following the accident, Sebastian M. fled Poland and was later apprehended in Dubai on October 4, 2023. He was initially detained but managed to secure his release and was granted a resident status in the UAE, reportedly through a "golden visa." The Polish authorities had issued an arrest warrant for him, which was based on a red notice from Interpol.
As the case unfolded, two police reports were generated regarding the incident. The first report, prepared by officers on the scene, accurately indicated that Sebastian M. was involved in the crash. However, a second report, authored by a high-ranking police officer, appeared to downplay his role. This discrepancy raised concerns about the handling of the investigation, prompting calls for a thorough review.
Despite the public outrage surrounding the case, prosecutors ultimately closed their investigation, finding no wrongdoing by the police or the prosecution. However, after a change in government, the case was reopened, but again, no irregularities were found.
Although the public and political figures have demanded that Sebastian M. face charges of manslaughter, he is expected to be charged only with causing a fatal accident. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.
The decision by the UAE Supreme Court to allow extradition has been met with relief and hope from the victims' families and the Polish public. Radosław Sikorski, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, also expressed his satisfaction, stating, "The road pirate who fled to Dubai will face Polish justice."
The next steps in the extradition process will depend on the UAE Minister of Justice, who is expected to make a decision soon. Prosecutor Anna Adamiak, speaking on behalf of the National Prosecutor's Office, expressed optimism that there would be no obstacles to Sebastian M.'s extradition. "We hope that the Minister of Justice will find no grounds that would prevent Sebastian M. from being sent to Poland," she stated.
This case has not only highlighted the tragic loss of innocent lives but also raised questions about the effectiveness of international legal cooperation in addressing such serious crimes. As the situation develops, many are watching closely to see if justice will finally be served for the victims of this devastating accident.
