(Adnkronos) – A 21-year-old Ukrainian student has been arrested in Poland on charges of planning a racist murder to participate in an online challenge called ‘Bloody Friday’. This was announced by prosecutors in Lublin, in the east of the country. The suspect, identified as Yaroslav F. and facing up to 15 years in prison, allegedly expressed his intention to commit a racially motivated murder, trying to involve a female student in his plan.
The investigation began after a report from the ‘John Paul II’ University in Lublin, where the young man was studying, after alarming signs were found in the student’s behavior. During lessons, he allegedly praised the commission of crimes, including racially motivated ones, going so far as to express the intention to kill randomly encountered people. The suspect also allegedly obtained three knives, one of which was found on him at the time of his arrest, while two others were found in his home. Analysis of his phones and computer reportedly revealed online searches for torture and methods of inflicting pain, as well as viewing extreme content on Telegram.
The case comes amid growing alarm over violence in Poland. Last week, three knife attacks were reported in the country within four days. Yesterday, moreover, an alleged plot to assassinate Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz emerged.
