Poland prepares charges over monastery attack against Ukrainian still in hospital
Polish prosecutors have drawn up charges against a 31-year-old Ukrainian man, Ihor M., accusing him of murder and causing grievous bodily harm in an attack at a monastery in Jarosław that killed a priest. He remains hospitalized while experts assess his mental state.
A spokeswoman for the district prosecutor's office in Przemyśl, Małgorzata Taciuch-Kurasiewicz, said prosecutors have formulated charges against 31-year-old Ukrainian citizen Ihor M. for murder, attempted murder and causing grievous bodily harm. The alleged offenses carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The attack took place on the morning of September 24 at the Benedictine sisters' abbey on Benedyktyńska Street in Jarosław, Poland, where the man attacked four men and one woman with a knife. A priest was killed in the assault.
Suspect remains hospitalized
The prosecutor's spokeswoman said Ihor M. is currently in hospital, having also sustained injuries during the attack, though the main concern for investigators is his mental state. Experts have been brought in to assess whether he is fit to take part in procedural actions. If his health does not permit this within 48 hours of detention, formal charges will not be presented to him during that time, and questioning may not take place.
The prosecutor has already filed a motion with the court requesting pre-trial detention for the man. A court-appointed defense lawyer will attend the hearing if needed. Results of a blood test to check for psychoactive substances are not yet available. A translator has been engaged to assist with procedural actions and translate documents that must be served to the suspect.
Investigation details
Police and prosecutors have interviewed around 20 people who were on the monastery grounds at the time, as well as Border Guard officers who processed Ihor M. when he entered Poland from Germany on Thursday, heading toward the Korczowa border crossing, which he did not cross. He entered the monastery grounds and went into the kitchen area, where he likely encountered the first victims.
The case is currently being handled by the district prosecutor's office in Jarosław, but it is expected to be taken over by the Przemyśl district prosecutor's office as early as Friday. The Polish government has promised severe punishment for the suspect, while the Ukrainian embassy expressed confidence that competent authorities will thoroughly and objectively establish all circumstances of the tragedy.
