21-year-old Ukrainian man has been arrested in Poland for planning murder motivated by racial hatred
In Lublin, Poland, a 21-year-old Ukrainian national, who was studying to become a criminologist, is suspected of planning the murder of a random member of the public on the grounds of racial hatred. According to the investigation, the student planned a knife attack as part of the ‘Bloody Friday’ online challenge. He faces up to 15 years in prison.
This is reported by Censor.NET, citing Polsat News and Marcin Kozak, spokesperson for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Lublin.
The university reported the student’s suspicious behaviour
The investigation was launched following a report from the management of the Catholic University of Lublin. A member of staff at the university informed the police of concerns raised by female students who had noticed aggressive and extremist remarks made by one of the seminar participants.
According to the investigation, 21-year-old Ukrainian Yaroslav F. spoke favourably during classes about crimes, in particular those committed for racist reasons, and also spoke of his intention to kill random people. He allegedly tried to persuade one of the female students to take part in such acts.
Law enforcement officers established that the man had three knives. He was carrying one of them with him, whilst he kept the other two – specialised throwing knives – at his home.
Whilst examining the seized mobile phones and laptop, investigators discovered that the student had been searching online for material relating to torture and the infliction of pain.
"The suspect was inspired to commit the crime whilst viewing violent content on the Telegram app," the public prosecutor’s office said.
The man was arrested whilst working as a taxi driver. The public prosecutor’s office emphasised that a potential crime had been prevented thanks to the university’s swift response and the police’s intervention.
A Ukrainian man faces up to 15 years in prison
The student has been charged with planning a murder on grounds that warrant particular condemnation, in particular racial hatred.
The suspect did not admit guilt and gave a statement in which he contested the findings of the investigation.
The Lublin-West District Court granted the prosecution’s application and ordered the Ukrainian national to be remanded in custody for three months.
Wojciech Andrusiewicz, a spokesperson for the Catholic University of Lublin, confirmed that the detainee was studying ‘Criminology’. He said that the university is cooperating with the police to ensure the safety of its students.
The university also noted that the young man had previously been regarded as a quiet and calm person. According to the information available, he was not receiving treatment from a psychiatrist.
If found guilty, a Ukrainian citizen faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
