Remand detention until 2026 for Ihor M. after knife attack at convent in Jarosław
A court has remanded Ihor M. in custody until 23 December 2026 following a fatal knife attack at a Benedictine convent in Jarosław. The suspect will be transferred to a hospital with a secure psychiatric unit.
Provisional remand detention in hospital conditions for suspect in priest's murder
A court has applied provisional remand detention until 23 December 2026 against Ihor M., suspected of carrying out a knife attack on the grounds of a Benedictine convent in Jarosław – according to wiadomosci.gazeta.pl. The man was not brought to the hearing due to his state of health.
"The court's ruling contains an indication that this measure in the form of provisional remand detention should be applied in hospital conditions," prosecutor Harasz-Wołoszyn stated during a briefing. The suspect is to be transferred to a medical facility with a secure psychiatric unit; the prosecutor's office has not disclosed which specific facility is involved.
Course of the attack and condition of victims
On Thursday before noon, Ihor M. entered the convent grounds, from where he took a knife from the kitchen. He attacked five people with it: four men and a woman. A priest who attempted to stop him died. Two people in serious condition remain in hospital in Jarosław; the prosecutor reported that their condition has not deteriorated since Friday. The injured woman is in hospital in Przeworsk, whilst the fifth person attacked left hospital in Przemyśl on Thursday evening.
Charges and psychiatric opinion
On Friday, the prosecutor's office brought charges against Ihor M. of murder, attempted murder and causing serious bodily injury. The announcement of charges and questioning of the suspect were not possible, however. Forensic psychiatrists found the man to be suffering from "acute polymorphic psychotic disorder".
Harasz-Wołoszyn stressed that the psychiatrists' opinion to date does not determine Ihor M.'s criminal responsibility at the time of the attack. This matter will be assessed in a further opinion, following the gathering of evidence and carrying out of proceedings with the suspect's involvement. The motive for the attack remains unknown.
Suspect's route and evidence
According to the prosecutor's investigation, the man entered Poland from Germany during the night of 23 September through the border crossing at Świecko, heading towards the border with Ukraine at Korczowa. His car did not have compulsory third-party insurance, so he left it in Korczowa and was given a lift to Jarosław by random private individuals. The vehicle was examined and secured for the purposes of the investigation. The prosecutor's office has not confirmed whether the people who gave the suspect a lift have already been questioned.
Investigators have questioned Border Guard officers who had contact with Ihor M. as well as direct witnesses to the attack and the injured parties, where their condition permitted. In deciding on the remand application, the court took into account, amongst other factors, the threat of a life sentence facing the suspect. The investigation is being conducted by the District Prosecutor's Office in Jarosław; a decision on whether it will be taken over by the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Przemyśl is likely to be made on Monday.
Source: Google News PL