Student Detained in Foiled Christmas Market Terror Plot

A student at the Catholic University of Lublin has been detained on suspicion of planning a mass murder attack at a Christmas market in Poland. The individual, identified only as Mateusz W., reportedly sought to carry out the attack using explosives and expressed intentions to connect with the Islamic State, according to Jacek Dobrzynski, a spokesperson for Poland’s special services.

The student, believed to be deeply infatuated with extremist ideologies, was arrested on November 30, 2023, following operations conducted by the Internal Security Agency (ABW). Searches took place in the Łódź and Lublin provinces, where authorities seized data storage devices and materials related to Islam.

Mr. Dobrzynski elaborated on the situation during a press conference, stating, “The man initially became deeply infatuated with Islam. He fell in love, or rather, with terrorism.” He further indicated that Mateusz W. had gathered information on constructing explosives aimed at intimidating and killing Polish citizens.

The specific location of the planned attack has not been disclosed to the public. Authorities are emphasizing the importance of citizen vigilance while commending the proactive measures taken by the ABW to prevent a potential tragedy. “A similar threat could occur in any Polish city, in any European city,” Mr. Dobrzynski noted, highlighting the broader implications of such threats.

The prosecutor’s office has charged Mateusz W. with “undertaking preparatory actions to carry out a terrorist attack that could have resulted in the death or serious injury of many people.” Following his detention, he is set to remain in custody for the next three months as the investigation continues under the supervision of the Prokuratura Krajowa (National Prosecutor’s Office) in Szczecin.

The ABW confirmed that the detained individual is Polish and resides in central Poland. This case brings to light ongoing concerns regarding the potential for domestic terrorism linked to radical ideologies. As investigations develop, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent any further threats to public safety.