Polish student detained over suspected Christmas market attack plot

Representational photo. Flag of Poland. Source: Free Stock Photo

Polish security services have detained a student suspected of preparing a "mass attack" at a Christmas market, Jacek Dobrzynski, a spokesperson for Poland's special services, said on Tuesday.

Mateusz W, a student at the Catholic University of Lublin, wanted to commit an attack using explosives and planned to join a terrorist organization, he said.

"The aim of the crime was to intimidate many people and support the Islamic State. During the investigation, Internal Security Agency officers seized data carriers and items related to Islam," Dobrzynski wrote on platform X.

The prosecutor's office 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."

"Furthermore, he took steps to establish contact with a terrorist organisation, including obtaining its support in carrying out the attack," the statement said.

Authorities did not immediately give further details about the suspect, who was placed in detention for a preliminary period of three months.