Fatal beating in Nowa Huta: 16-year-old sought after release by court
A 36-year-old beaten by a group in Kraków died in an ambulance. A detained juvenile suspect was released by family court and has gone missing.
Juvenile suspect in beating fled after family court decision
Google News PL — Crime (pl) reports that during the night of 20–21 August in Kraków's Nowa Huta district, a group of several people fatally beat a 36-year-old man. The incident was recorded by surveillance cameras. The victim, known in football fan circles by the pseudonym "Yankes", was a supporter of Hutnik Kraków club and a member of the boxing section. The man died in an ambulance, according to PAP.
On Monday, 24 August, the Provincial Police Headquarters in Kraków took over the case, with the investigation placed under the supervision of the District Prosecutor's Office in Kraków-Nowa Huta. On the same day, Małopolska police officers detained two men identified through operational activities. Officers were investigating whether both had taken direct part in the incident or only indirect involvement. One of the detainees was ultimately released due to insufficient evidence, as described by Jarosław Sidorowicz on Wyborcza.pl.
The second detainee turned out to be a minor. On Wednesday, 26 August, police officers brought the 16-year-old to family court. Judge Zbigniew Zgud, spokesperson for civil matters at the District Court in Kraków, announced that the court initiated proceedings under the law on support and rehabilitation of juveniles, but did not apply temporary measures and ordered the boy's release from the juvenile detention facility. At the same time, another family court—supervising a previously issued educational measure against the 16-year-old in the form of placement in a youth training centre—revoked the leave granted to him and ordered his return to the facility.
The teenager, however, was not found. On Wednesday evening, senior sergeant Iwona Szelichiewicz from Małopolska police confirmed in conversation with Gazeta.pl that officers continue to search for the boy. As Judge Zgud explained, the stay in a youth training centre has an isolating character—the minor stays in the facility around the clock and cannot leave it independently, though he may take leave. "The evidence is serious," noted a police officer familiar with the case.
On Tuesday, 25 August, Kraków police established a special task force composed of experienced officers from the Provincial Headquarters, City Headquarters, Central Investigation Bureau of Police, and Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime. Its aim is to apprehend all individuals who may be connected to the beating on Willowy housing estate. "Through operational activities, officers have identified all individuals who took direct part in the beating. Operations continue to establish their location," reads a statement from Małopolska police.
According to unofficial findings by Radio Eska, three men suspected of direct involvement in the beating left Poland and are hiding in southern Europe. Previously, nine other people associated with football fan circles were detained and questioned—all were released due to lack of evidence of participation in the incident.
Judge Zgud emphasised that proceedings against juveniles under the law on support and rehabilitation of juveniles do not include formal charges. The purpose of the procedure is to establish whether the minor committed a criminal act and to determine appropriate educational or rehabilitation measures if necessary.
Source: Google News PL — Crime (pl)