Poland stabbings driven by online glorification of violence, Tusk says
The PM was speaking after violent attacks at Polish schools this week left one dead and others injured.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has linked recent violent attacks at schools to the online glorification of violence, saying the incidents were acts of nihilistic extremism linked to the far right. The attacks, which have left one woman dead and others injured, including children, are believed to be spontaneous actions inspired by online activities.
Across Poland, police have arrested 117 individuals, mostly for possession of weapons or threats against schools, following extensive searches of tens of thousands of schools. The attacks began with a stabbing that killed a female caretaker earlier in the week, followed by two more incidents that injured people and involved minors.
Tusk emphasized that there is no large-scale organized group behind these attacks, describing them as nihilistic violence. He noted a global and Polish trend of increasing fascination with violence, with online searches for Nazi content and mass killers soaring. Some of those detained appear to be active in the far-right environment.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński cited a 17-year-old detained for allegedly stating on school grounds his intention to commit dangerous acts. Police visited schools nationwide to reassure students after rumors of a "Bloody Friday" of more attacks fueled by online challenges spread. Security services convened a special meeting after receiving information about a potential attack on Tusk and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, treating the threat as highly serious.
Written by urgent.news from BBC World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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