The «Kloszard Combat» tournament, where homeless individuals were supposed to fight in cages for an online audience, ultimately did not take place. However, those who planned to profit from it have not abandoned their ideas. The case is currently being handled by the prosecutor’s office in Gdańsk.
On Monday morning, May 18, Minister for Equality Katarzyna Kotula testified at the District Prosecutor’s Office in Gdańsk. Kotula is appearing in the case as a witness regarding «Prime MMA,» which has caused public outcry due to one of its elements — the «Kloszard Combat» tournament.
The District Prosecutor’s Office in Gdańsk is conducting a preliminary investigation into the planned event «Prime MMA.» So far, no charges have been filed against anyone.
— There can be no consent to the monetization of actions that involve people in difficult life situations. This event was aimed at attracting such individuals, but primarily — at making a profit. After the authorities in Lublin terminated the lease agreement for the venue, the organizers began searching for a new location to hold the tournament.
Fortunately, this was not realized. But it is important for the state to finally develop effective response tools. Politicians can and should file statements with the prosecutor’s office, testify, and most importantly — clearly state that there is no public consent for such «patoboi» and patostreaming, — said Katarzyna Kotula at a press conference.
Eight participants, a cage, and cameras
According to the deputy, Kloszard Combat was planned as an MMA gala featuring eight individuals — not professional fighters, but people in difficult life situations, specifically recruited for this event. The fights were supposed to be streamed online, with the organizers profiting from views, subscriptions, and donations. The scheme is typical for patostreaming: vulnerable participants, conflict or humiliation as «content,» and subsequent monetization of audience attention.
In the case of «Kloszard Combat,» the scale of the project was particularly noticeable: a full-fledged organization, possible contracts with participants, and a pre-planned structure for the event. Now the prosecutor’s office must establish key circumstances — whether contracts were indeed signed, what conditions they contained, and who was responsible for selecting the participants. The issue of awareness is particularly significant: according to media reports, at least one of the potential participants may not have understood what they were agreeing to.
A guardian of one of the participants learned about their supposed involvement in the show from the media. This circumstance, publicly voiced by the guardians, became the starting point for interest in the case.
— There is only information from the media at our disposal, and I will also discuss this in the prosecutor’s office. It raises doubts about the level of awareness of the people who may have been involved in these patoboi. If a guardian claims they were unaware of their ward’s participation, but then hears about a signed contract, and similar information comes from other sources, it is necessary to thoroughly check: was there a contract, what documents were signed, and under what conditions. It is important to establish how the attempt to monetize such events was carried out, — explained Kotula.
Source: https://www.trojmiasto.pl/wiadomosci/Afera-wokol-Kloszard-Combat-i-Prime-MMA-w-prokuraturze-Katarzyna-Kotula-zlozyla-zeznania-w-Gdansku-n219805.html
