Poland opens terrorism probe after Krakow mass killing
A specialized terrorism unit will lead the investigation after six people were killed in an attack on Krakow’s central square.
Polish prosecutors have opened a terrorism investigation after a deadly attack on Krakow's central square that left six people dead, authorities said. A specialized unit for terrorism-related offences will take charge of the case, the justice minister announced.
Authorities label the attack a possible terrorist offence
“According to the applied legal classification, the perpetrator acted to seriously intimidate a large number of people, which makes this a terrorist offense,” said Waldemar Zurek, Poland’s Minister of Justice, as investigators framed the case under terrorism statutes.
The attacker, a 24-year-old, was seriously wounded by police while being detained shortly after the shooting. Officials later found the bodies of his parents and a younger sister in his home.
Among the six killed were four Polish citizens aged between 47 and 61 and a 32-year-old British national; the identity of an additional female victim has not yet been confirmed. Investigators said the attacker wore military-style clothing and used military-grade weaponry, though he had no links to the Polish armed forces. More weapons and ammunition were recovered from his vehicle.
Police spokeswoman Katarzyna Cislo said the attacker held a firearms permit and had no prior criminal record. Sixteen people were injured in the incident, including two police officers whose condition was described as stable and improved compared with yesterday. Only the attacker remains in critical condition, regional governor Krzysztof Jan Kleczar said.
Photo: AP)
