Poland charges teen with preparing attack on a school

February 11, 2026 5:29 AM EST

WARSAW, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Poland ‌has charged an ​18-year-old ​man with preparing an attack on a school and being motivated by his support for Islamic State, special services spokesperson ‌Jacek Dobrzynski said on Wednesday.

Poland has not suffered any attacks ⁠related to Islamic State but Polish authorities are on the alert following a rise ‌in sabotage attempts, including on ‌the railway, since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

"The Prosecutor's Office charges the man with publicly inciting violence and hatred on the grounds ​of national and religious differences via the internet, as well as preparations for an attack at the turn of 2024/2025," Dobrzynski wrote ⁠on X.

He said an investigation found the man had been "collecting information on weapons, explosives, incendiary and ​toxic substances, bomb designs, methods of operation and equipping, as well as methods of creating, placing and detonating explosive ​charges, and techniques for carrying out attacks."

Dobrzynski ‌said the man's notes showed he had been planning an attack on a school in the southeastern Podkarpackie ⁠region.

If the man is found guilty, he faces up to 18 years in prison, Dobrzynski said.

He did not say how the accused had responded to the charges.

In ⁠December, Poland detained a 19-year-old student suspected of trying to establish contacts with Islamic ​State and charged with preparing an attack at a Christmas market that could have caused mass casualties.

After emerging in Iraq and Syria, Islamic State quickly created a "caliphate" ‌and at the height of its power from 2014-2017 it held swathes of the two countries, ruling over ‌millions of people.

Last June, Poland charged three 19-year-old men suspected of gathering pyrotechnic ⁠materials and planning terrorist actions. ‌Local media said they ​had been planning an attack on a school in the northern city of Olsztyn.

(Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk; Editing by ‌Timothy Heritage)



Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!

You May Also Be Interested In





Related Categories

Reuters