Poland: 10 arrests of pupils over threats – police deployed to 10,000 schools following two knife attacks
Ten arrests of teenagers for online threats in Poland, following two knife attacks at schools within two days. Police forces deployed to 10,000 schools.
Arrests of teenagers in Poland over threats to schools – police on high alert
Poland's police have made ten arrests of teenagers, primarily due to threats made online against schools, according to reports. The authorities were mobilised after two knife attacks at schools occurred within a period of just two days, triggering rumours on social media about a "Bloody Friday".
Two attacks in two days
On Wednesday, 7 October, a 19-year-old attacked with a knife at a school in the city of Ostrołęka, wounding nine people, including himself. The following day, Thursday, 8 October, a 15-year-old former pupil attacked with a knife at an elementary school in Leszczyno-Nowiny, near Warsaw. A 37-year-old school employee died, whilst the headteacher and a teacher were wounded attempting to stop the attacker — their injuries are not considered life-threatening.
In the city of Sierpc, police prevented a possible third attack, apprehending a 17-year-old who was carrying two knives. According to Polish Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński, the teenager had searched online for information on how to carry out an attack.
"There is no evidence of a national challenge"
The incidents have inundated Polish social media with rumours that an online challenge is behind the attacks. Police noted that they found no evidence supporting these assessments.
"There is much emotionally charged misinformation circulating on the internet, spontaneous reactions stemming from understandable concern, but there is no indication of the existence of a national 'challenge'", said Minister for Digitalisation Krzysztof Gawkowski on the TVN24 television channel.
He did not rule out isolated cases of imitation: "We cannot exclude the possibility that one, two or three people communicate in a group, make plans, or that someone might copy the crime. However, there is no evidence of any threat from a group of people co-ordinated to harm someone", he added.
Arrests and deployed police forces
Police were deployed to 10,000 schools across the country, whilst the government warned of the spread of misinformation that could inspire further attacks.
Among the ten arrested are:
- A 13-year-old from Warsaw, who posted a photograph of a knife in his class group chat and threatened classmates.
- A 14-year-old, also from the Polish capital, who was arrested within school premises with a knife and flares in his possession.
- Two 15-year-olds from Pruszków County, who uploaded a video online with threats against a school.
Polish authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with emphasis on identifying potential new threats via the internet.
Source: In.gr