Poland stabbings driven by online glorification of violence, Tusk says
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has linked a recent surge in school violence and stabbings to the online glorification of nihilistic and far-right ideologies. Authorities have responded with widespread security checks and arrests, noting that these attacks are often spontaneous rather than part of a large-scale organized plot.
Why it matters
The incident highlights growing concerns regarding the impact of extremist online content on youth behavior and the challenges governments face in preventing radicalized, decentralized acts of violence.
Image source, AFP via Getty Images Image caption, A 37-year-old caretaker was killed at a primary school in a town north of Warsaw this week
Three violent attacks at Polish schools this week were driven by the "glorification of violence" online, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
The attacks have left one woman dead and others injured, including children.
"These are very often spontaneous actions inspired by online activity," Tusk said on Sunday, during a crisis meeting with security services.
Police have arrested 117 people across the country for possession knives or other weapons, or for threatening to attack schools or fellow students, after searching tens of thousands of schools.
A woman was arrested on Saturday after injuring three people while attacking a 17-year-old girl at an educational institution in the capital, Warsaw.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in