Polish security services have announced the disruption of a major terror plot, allegedly orchestrated by the Islamic State group, targeting a Christmas market in the country.
Student Arrested Over Alleged Bomb Plot
According to Jacek Dobrzynski, a spokesperson for Poland's special services, a student has been detained on suspicion of preparing the attack. The suspect, identified as Mateusz W., a student at the Catholic University of Lublin, was apprehended at his apartment in the eastern city of Lublin in November.
Officials state that the man was charged by the prosecutor's office with 'undertaking preparatory actions to carry out a terrorist attack that could have resulted in the death or serious injury of many people'. He is also accused of taking steps to establish contact with a terrorist organisation to obtain support for the planned atrocity.
Investigation Uncovers Disturbing Details
Dobrzynski revealed that the suspect was 'very fascinated by Islam' and actively sought to establish contacts with the Islamic State. His alleged aim was to commit an attack using explosives at a Christmas market in one of Poland's cities, intending to intimidate the public and show support for the terrorist group.
During the investigation, officers from Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) seized data carriers and items related to Islam from the suspect's residence. The specific city targeted has not been disclosed by authorities, who stated they wished to avoid causing public panic.
Context of Heightened Security Vigilance
The suspect has been placed in detention for a preliminary period of three months. This case follows another recent terrorism-related incident in Poland; in mid-June, authorities charged three 19-year-old men accused of stockpiling pyrotechnic materials and plotting attacks, including on a school in Olsztyn.
Dobrzynski directly referenced this earlier case and the global context, stating: 'You are familiar with the issue from Olsztyn, now we have another example of preparing an attack before Christmas. We are shocked by the incident in Sydney, we are shocked by the attacks that occurred in previous years before Christmas in other European countries. Let's remain vigilant.'
This development in Poland comes shortly after the deadly attack at Bondi Beach in Australia, where a father and son who allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS killed at least 15 people, underscoring a continued international terror threat.
