Kraków shooter dies; concerns over political division in Poland
On Saturday, Michał Oksiński, who killed six people in Kraków's city centre, died in hospital. Diena reports that the tragedy could deepen Poland's political confrontation.
Kraków terror act raises concerns about Poland's political polarisation
Poland continues to mourn the terror attack that took place on Saturday, 7 November, in Kraków's historic Main Market Square. As reported by Diena, concerns have intensified that political forces could exploit this tragedy in their mutual struggles to further divide an already deeply polarised society — an observation also noted by AFP.
Twenty-four-year-old Michał Oksiński opened fire on pedestrians in Kraków's city centre from a light vehicle at around three o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday. He killed six people — four women and two men — and wounded a further 15, including two police officers. Among the victims were four Polish citizens, one British citizen and one Austrian citizen. Among the wounded were citizens of Austria, the United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal and Russia.
In attempting to flee, Oksiński was pursued in his vehicle and was seriously wounded in an exchange of fire with police officers approximately one kilometre from the Market Square. According to the BBC, he was subsequently taken to hospital, where he later died. The Polish prosecutor's office is investigating the incident as a terror attack.
When searching the shooter's residence, police discovered the mortal remains of his father, mother and 21-year-old sister. Most likely, these three people were also killed by Oksiński. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński described the shooter as an ultranationalist with far-right views, though the specific motives for the attack have not yet been clarified.
Mourning has been declared in Kraków until 11 November. Polish President Karol Nawrocki declared national mourning on 8 and 9 November.
AFP points to concerns prevalent in Poland over whether the tragedy will influence political confrontation in the country. The nationalist Law and Justice party (PiS) had planned to organise protests against the liberal government's efforts to bring about a change of judges in the Constitutional Tribunal — these protests were cancelled following the terror attack, though they could be held on other dates. Greater concerns are raised by the Independence March scheduled for Wednesday, in which representatives of far-right and ultraconservative forces typically participate and which could be directed towards the Constitutional Tribunal.
Source: Diena