Jarosław attack suspect unfit for questioning, Polish prosecutors say
The Ukrainian man accused of a fatal knife attack at a Polish abbey is showing psychotic symptoms and cannot currently be questioned, prosecutors said.
A Ukrainian man suspected of carrying out a fatal knife attack at a Benedictine abbey in Jarosław, Poland, is experiencing an acute psychotic episode and is currently unfit to take part in the investigation, prosecutors in Przemyśl said.
Psychiatric experts who examined the 31-year-old suspect, identified by Polish media only as Ihor M., said he was strongly agitated, unable to organise his thoughts and could not hold a coherent exchange with them, prosecution spokesperson Małgorzata Taciuch-Kurasiewicz said. The experts concluded he needs antipsychotic medication.
Prosecutors stressed that this finding covers only his current state of mind and is separate from any later assessment of his criminal responsibility for the attack. Investigators said they would keep gathering evidence and establishing the circumstances of the attack even though the suspect himself cannot yet be interviewed, and that no motive has been publicly given.
The attack took place at around 9:30am on 24 September at the Benedictine Sisters' abbey in Jarosław, in southeastern Poland. Police said the suspect attacked four men and one woman with a knife. One victim, Father Stanisław Zbojniewicz, 67, who had served as a priest for 40 years, later died in hospital. Of the four other people injured, the abbey said one priest, Father Marek Pieńkowski, remained hospitalised in serious but stable condition, while a second injured priest was treated and released the same day.
The Polish daily Rzeczpospolita reported, citing information obtained by Polish police from foreign law enforcement agencies, that the suspect had a police record in Germany related to an incident involving officers and had been listed in a Czech database as an undesirable person.
A court ordered the suspect held for three months on 26 September, with detention to take place in a hospital ward with enhanced security rather than a standard facility, given his psychiatric condition. He has been assigned a court-appointed lawyer.
Ukraine's embassy in Poland condemned the attack, saying violence against people could not be justified. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also condemned it. "The perpetrator of this evil must bear full responsibility in accordance with the law," he said, adding that he expected a swift and thorough investigation.
What we know
- Psychiatric experts say the suspect, a 31-year-old Ukrainian identified only as Ihor M., is experiencing an acute psychotic episode and needs antipsychotic medication
- Prosecutors say his mental state does not by itself determine criminal responsibility, and the investigation continues
- The 24 September knife attack at a Jarosław abbey killed one priest, Father Stanisław Zbojniewicz, 67, and injured four other people
- A court ordered the suspect held for three months in a secure hospital ward
- Ukraine's embassy and President Zelensky condemned the attack
Not yet confirmed
- A priest wounded in the attack reportedly returned to the altar two days later and publicly said he forgave the suspect; this account has not been independently corroborated by a second outlet
Why it matters for Europe
The attack has strained relations between Poles and Ukrainians in a border area that took in large numbers of refugees after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Poland hosts one of the largest Ukrainian communities in the European Union, and officials in both countries have expressed concern about a backlash against Ukrainians living there following the case.
Sources
Reported by 2 reports from 2 independent outlets in 2 countries.
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Questions and answers
- Who is accused of the Jarosław attack?
- A 31-year-old Ukrainian man, identified by Polish media only as Ihor M., is accused of murder, attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm.
- Why can't the suspect be questioned?
- Psychiatric experts found he is experiencing an acute psychotic episode and needs antipsychotic medication, prosecutors said.
- What happened in the attack?
- On 24 September, the suspect attacked five people with a knife at a Benedictine abbey in Jarosław; one priest died and four other people were injured.
This article was written with AI assistance from 2 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.