Remand custody for Ihor M. following knife attack in Jarosław – priest dies
The District Court in Jarosław remanded Ihor M., a 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen suspected of murdering a priest and attacking five people at a Benedictine convent, into three months' custody.
Three months' remand for suspect in attack at Benedictine abbey
The District Court in Jarosław, following a motion from the District Prosecutor's Office, remanded Ihor M. into custody for a period of three months, until 23 December 2026. According to rp.pl, the decision was confirmed by prosecutor Bożena Harasz-Wołoszyn from the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Przemyśl.
The suspect did not appear in person at the hearing as he is in hospital suffering from acute psychosis. Harasz-Wołoszyn assured that during his remand he will be transferred to a medical facility with a reinforced security ward, though she did not provide the exact location.
Course of the attack and charges
On Thursday morning, the 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen entered the grounds of the Benedictine Sisters' Abbey on Benedyktyńska Street in Jarosław. According to the prosecutor, he took a knife from the monastery kitchen and attacked five people: four men and a woman. Father Stanisław Zbojnowicz, aged 65, who attempted to stop the attacker, died from his injuries. Four other people were wounded – two are in a serious condition at hospital in Jarosław, one woman is at hospital in Przeworsk, and the fifth person left hospital in Przemyśl on Thursday evening. The condition of all four injured persons is stable and does not threaten their lives.
On Friday, the prosecutor's office brought charges against Ihor M. of murder, attempted murder, and causing serious bodily injury. However, it was not possible to formally announce the charges or question the suspect. Forensic psychiatrists found him to have "acute polymorphic psychotic disorders". Harasz-Wołoszyn noted that the expert opinion does not yet settle the question of the suspect's mental capacity at the time of the attack – this matter will be assessed in a further opinion after evidence has been gathered.
Suspect's route before the attack
According to investigators' findings, in the night of 23 September Ihor M. entered Poland from Germany via the road border crossing at Świecko. He then went to the border crossing at Korczowa, where he intended to enter Ukraine. He did not cross the border – his vehicle lacked the compulsory motor third party liability insurance. From Korczowa he was to be taken by private car to Jarosław, over 30 kilometres away.
Reactions and social context
The incident sparked social tensions. One commentator cited assessed that "we are on the brink of lynch-mob sentiment", expressing concern that the act of a single individual might have repercussions for millions of Ukrainians staying in Poland. A silent march has been announced in connection with the tragedy.
The prosecutor's office continues to establish the motive and exact course of events.
Source: Google News PL — Crime (pl)