In brief
Three knife attacks this week in Poland have left a caretaker dead and dozens wounded. Prime Minister Donald Tusk blamed an online culture that glorifies violence and highlighted a spike in right‑wing extremist activity. Police have detained 117 suspects and searched tens of thousands of schools for weapons. Authorities have warned of potential threats to Tusk and other officials.
<b>Three violent attacks at Polish schools this week were driven by the "glorification of violence" online, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.</b>
The incidents have left one woman dead and others wounded, including children.
Tusk told security services that the attacks were often spontaneous actions inspired by online activity. He added that the situation reflects a broader trend of fascination with brutality, both globally and within Poland.
Police have arrested 117 suspects nationwide for holding knives or other weapons, or for threatening to attack schools or peers, after conducting exhaustive searches across thousands of institutions.
Among the arrests was a woman who injuring three people during an assault on a 17‑year‑old in Warsaw on Saturday.
The day before, a 19‑year‑old student wounded nine people at a vocational school in central Mazowieckie. The following day a 15‑year‑old entered a primary school in Leszczydól-Nowiny, killing a 37‑year‑old caretaker and injuring two teachers.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński noted the detainment of a 17‑year‑old in Sierpc who allegedly declared an intent to harm someone on school grounds.
Polish police have toured schools nationwide to reassure pupils amid fears of a “Bloody Friday” stemming from a rumored online challenge.
Security services convened a special meeting after receiving intel about a potential threat to Tusk and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak‑Kamży. The threat is being treated as “deadly serious.”
Political leaders in Poland warn of rising violence championed online, as authorities work to curb extremist influence in schools.
