Ihor M. remanded in custody following knife attack at monastery in Jarosław
The District Court in Jarosław ordered three months of pre-trial detention for Ihor M., suspected of murdering a priest and attacking four other people at the Benedictine Sisters monastery.
Remand in custody for suspect in knife attack at Benedictine monastery
The District Court in Jarosław decided on Saturday to remand in custody Ihor M. – suspected of a fatal knife attack at the monastery of the Benedictine Sisters. According to polskieradio24.pl, the remand hearing began at 13:30.
Bożena Harasz-Wołoszyn from the Regional Prosecutor's Office in Przemyśl said at a press conference that the court had upheld the prosecution's request. The suspect will spend the next three months in custody served under hospital conditions, as his state of health made it impossible to bring him to the hearing.
Ihor M. will be placed in a medical facility with a unit featuring so-called "enhanced security". Such units are equipped with round-the-clock monitoring, barred windows, reinforced doors, airlocks and electronic access control systems. In addition to qualified medical staff, security personnel are present at all times. The prosecution did not disclose which specific facility he would be sent to.
Nine wounds on victim's body
The prosecution confirmed that it already has preliminary results of the autopsy of the clergyman who died during the attack. Nine wounds were found on the priest's body, eight of which were the result of inflicted blows.
The attack occurred on Thursday morning. Ihor M. entered the monastery grounds, took a knife from the monastery kitchen and attacked five people – four men and a woman. The priest, who attempted to stop the attacker, died. Two people in serious condition remain in hospital in Jarosław – according to Harasz-Wołoszyn, their condition has not deteriorated since Friday. The injured woman is in hospital in Przeworsk. The fifth of the attacked persons left hospital in Przemyśl on Thursday evening.
Charges and psychiatric opinion
On Friday, the prosecution brought charges against Ihor M. of murder, attempted murder and causing serious bodily harm. The charges could not, however, be disclosed to the suspect or he be questioned – forensic psychiatrists found him to have "acute polymorphic psychotic disorders".
Harasz-Wołoszyn clarified that the expert opinion so far does not determine the suspect's criminal responsibility at the time of the attack. This question will be assessed in a subsequent opinion, after evidence is gathered and actions involving him are carried out. The motive for Ihor M.'s actions remains unknown.
Route to Jarosław via Germany
According to the prosecution's findings, the man entered Poland from Germany at night on 23 September through the border crossing at Świecko. He intended to cross the border into Ukraine at Korczowa. However, his car lacked mandatory motor third-party liability insurance, so Ihor M. left his vehicle in Korczowa and travelled to Jarosław in a private car – driven by chance acquaintances. The car was examined and secured for investigative purposes. The prosecution does not have information on whether the people who drove him have already been questioned.
Investigators questioned Border Guard officers who had contact with Ihor M., as well as direct witnesses to the attack and injured parties whose state of health permitted it. In deciding on the remand request, the court took into account, amongst other factors, the penalty of life imprisonment threatening 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 expected on Monday.
Source: Google News PL — Crime (pl)